Family Fabaceae.
Originating from Asia.
- Feathery, fern-like foliage forms a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy.
- Fluffy pink pom-pom flowers bloom profusely in summer.
- Easy to grow and vigorous, it thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
The Persian Silk Tree in Your Garden
It’s hard to believe we can grow such an exotic and graceful, tropical-looking tree in UK gardens. In fact, it is fairly hardy, and many large specimens grace our urban landscapes with their unmistakable broad canopies. Its delicate, feathery foliage is abundant, making a lush crown of luxuriantly draped leaves topped with exquisite powder-puff flowers.
Hardy in all except the coldest northerly and central UK gardens, it reaches 6m high and wide in 10–20 years. Receptive to hard pruning or trimming to shape, it can be grown in gardens of all sizes and in pots. It is tolerant of drought and coastal climates; this tropical-looking pink-flowering tree is perfect for Norfolk and Suffolk’s seaside gardens.
Its pink flowers are as delicate as its foliage, like pin-cushions of silk threads (hence its common name – Silk Tree). Sitting upright on the tiers of branches, they invite all, including pollinators, to enjoy their candyfloss aroma and pollen. They appear as tightly closed green buds in late spring and are produced in succession through to late summer.
Growing Tips for Your Tropical-Looking Pink-Flowering Tree, Albizia julibrissin
- Soil and sun: any soil that is not heavy and wet in winter, in full sun. Poor sandy soil is ideal.
- Planting: from early spring to early autumn. Never plant a dry plant! Plunge or stand the root ball in water for 30 minutes to drench it before planting. Do not add soil improvers.
- Watering: Moderate; tolerates drought once established. Water regularly during its first summer while it is rooting out.
- Pruning: Prune hard (this may mean sacrificing a season’s blooming) or trim lightly in late winter to shape. Harsh winters may damage new growth at the tips of branches, which does not endanger the tree; this growth can be removed at any time of year.
The Persian Silk Tree has a rich cultural history in many Asian countries. Its Chinese name, ‘he huan shu’ (the collective happiness tree), refers to an antidepressant tea brewed from its flowers. Albizia’s ranks of tiny leaves close together at night, hence its Japanese name, ‘nemunoki’, meaning ‘sleeping tree’. For UK gardeners, its ornamental qualities as a tropical-looking pink-flowering tree make it a go-to species.
Planting Ideas for The Persian Silk Tree.
Delight in the light shade cast by Albiza julibrissin’s luxuriant, wide-spreading crown. Place summer seating below it, or plant it with Mediterranean-style species that will thrive in dappled sun. Agave montana, Phormium ‘Jester’ and ‘Cream Delight’, Dianella Tasred and Astelia silver shadow all grow in part shade.
Add abundant evergreens around your Albizia to soften its winter absence of foliage. Ilex perado, Calocedrus decurrens, Cupressus ‘Totem Pole’, and Magnolia ‘Alta’ make a dark green, lush backdrop. Acacias pravissima and baileyana ‘Purpurea’ add silver foliage and flowers before it. Arbutus unedo and Eriobotrya japonica flower after it.
