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Known by a number of names (including Silk Tree, Mimosa, Powder-Puff tree,
Rain Tree, Pink Siris), Albizia (often misspelled albizzia) is a genus containing around
150 species of tropical,sub tropical and tender temperate trees and shrubs. In the
legume family, Albizia is a fast growing, but often short lived tree. Foliage is feathery,
medium to dark green, with pinnate or bipinnate compound leaves which close up at
night and when it's raining. Leaves turn yellow or orange in autumn before foliage
drop. Albizia flower in airy, pink or white confections once the weather turns hot.
They flower on branch tips of this season's growth, which will attract bees and
hummingbirds. Long seed pods are brown and flat, containing small, bean like seeds.
Bark is dark and greyish, remaining mostly smooth through the tree's lifespan.
Native to Asia and parts of the Middle East, Albizia naturalizes readily, and is considered invasive in many areas.
Hardiness: Depends on the species. Most do not tolerate prolonged cold, though some species grow as far north as zone 6. Provide
winter protection in a cold frame or green house, depending on species hardiness and your zone. See species section below for
more detailed Hardiness ratings.
Light: Full sun to partial shade. Protect from drying winds.
Soil: Albizia will grow in almost any soil type, even in very poor soils. They prefer a well drained mix.
Watering: Deeply, but allowing to dry out most of the way between waterings. In the landscape they have a high tolerance of
drought, and prefer not to say water logged in cultivation. Do not get water on the flowers when in bloom, as they turn in to a
mushy mess when wet.
Fertilizer: Apply a regular 10-10-10 through the growing season. Additional bone meal may be used for increased flower
production.
Pests and Diseases: Scale, mites, webworm and borers. Mimosa (Fusarium) wilt is fatal, and can spread to nearby trees.
Repotting: Albizia are very vigorous growers, and should be repotted every one to two years. Repot in spring.
Pruning and Styling: Best suited for medium to large bonsai, or very unconventional small bonsai. The leaves and flowers do not
reduce well.
Cut back in early spring, removing unwanted branches, and shortening existing branches. Albizia flower on new growth, so do not
prune too late in the spring or early summer if you want flowers. Prune again after flowering as needed. Remove any unwanted
suckers.
Wiring: Yes, though best done in spring and early summer on newer growth. Branches become brittle in fall.
Deadwood: No.
Propagation: By seed: Soak and scar seeds prior to sowing. Can be propagated by root cuttings, or removal of suckers.
Styles and Forms: Multi trunked form look natural, as this is how they tend to grow in nature. Informal upright, slanting.
Species and Cultivars: A. adianthifolia - Flat Crown. African native. Can reach up to 120 ft (36m) tall in the wild. White flowers in
winter and spring. Zones 9-12
A. julibrissin - Perian Silk Tree. Deciduous tree, native to Japan and western Asia. 20-40 ft (6-12 m) in the landscape. Pink and white
flowers, dark green, very fine leaves. Hardiest of the Albizia species. Zones 6-10.
Cultivars 'Charlotte' and 'Tyron' are more disease resistant.
A. kalkora - Similar to A. julibrissin, Asian native. Can reach up to 60ft (18m) tall. Larger leaves. Rough bark and creamy flowers.
Zones 7-8.
A. lebbeck - White Siris. Native to Asia, Australia and Africa. Very fast growing, deciduous in dry seasons. Will grow up to 60ft (18
m) in the landscape, but more commonly seen around 30 ft (9 m). Greenish, short lived flowers. Zones 10-12.
A. saman - Monkeypod, Rain Tree. Found from Central America to Brazil, this variety prefers moist tropics. Can grow to 100ft
(30m) tall and just as wide, in the landscape. White flowers. Zones 10-12.
A. tanganyicensis - Paperbark Albizia. Native of Africa. Reaches 40ft in the landscape, with naturally crooked and open growth
habit. Creamy, papery exfoliating bark. Flowers on leafless branches in late winter or early spring. Zones 9-11.
Other Information: Albizia is not related to other trees also called Mimosa trees. Be certain of the genus.
Albizia will leaf out late in cooler climates, responding more to temperature than to day length.
Rain Tree, Pink Siris), Albizia (often misspelled albizzia) is a genus containing around
150 species of tropical,sub tropical and tender temperate trees and shrubs. In the
legume family, Albizia is a fast growing, but often short lived tree. Foliage is feathery,
medium to dark green, with pinnate or bipinnate compound leaves which close up at
night and when it's raining. Leaves turn yellow or orange in autumn before foliage
drop. Albizia flower in airy, pink or white confections once the weather turns hot.
They flower on branch tips of this season's growth, which will attract bees and
hummingbirds. Long seed pods are brown and flat, containing small, bean like seeds.
Bark is dark and greyish, remaining mostly smooth through the tree's lifespan.
Native to Asia and parts of the Middle East, Albizia naturalizes readily, and is considered invasive in many areas.
Hardiness: Depends on the species. Most do not tolerate prolonged cold, though some species grow as far north as zone 6. Provide
winter protection in a cold frame or green house, depending on species hardiness and your zone. See species section below for
more detailed Hardiness ratings.
Light: Full sun to partial shade. Protect from drying winds.
Soil: Albizia will grow in almost any soil type, even in very poor soils. They prefer a well drained mix.
Watering: Deeply, but allowing to dry out most of the way between waterings. In the landscape they have a high tolerance of
drought, and prefer not to say water logged in cultivation. Do not get water on the flowers when in bloom, as they turn in to a
mushy mess when wet.
Fertilizer: Apply a regular 10-10-10 through the growing season. Additional bone meal may be used for increased flower
production.
Pests and Diseases: Scale, mites, webworm and borers. Mimosa (Fusarium) wilt is fatal, and can spread to nearby trees.
Repotting: Albizia are very vigorous growers, and should be repotted every one to two years. Repot in spring.
Pruning and Styling: Best suited for medium to large bonsai, or very unconventional small bonsai. The leaves and flowers do not
reduce well.
Cut back in early spring, removing unwanted branches, and shortening existing branches. Albizia flower on new growth, so do not
prune too late in the spring or early summer if you want flowers. Prune again after flowering as needed. Remove any unwanted
suckers.
Wiring: Yes, though best done in spring and early summer on newer growth. Branches become brittle in fall.
Deadwood: No.
Propagation: By seed: Soak and scar seeds prior to sowing. Can be propagated by root cuttings, or removal of suckers.
Styles and Forms: Multi trunked form look natural, as this is how they tend to grow in nature. Informal upright, slanting.
Species and Cultivars: A. adianthifolia - Flat Crown. African native. Can reach up to 120 ft (36m) tall in the wild. White flowers in
winter and spring. Zones 9-12
A. julibrissin - Perian Silk Tree. Deciduous tree, native to Japan and western Asia. 20-40 ft (6-12 m) in the landscape. Pink and white
flowers, dark green, very fine leaves. Hardiest of the Albizia species. Zones 6-10.
Cultivars 'Charlotte' and 'Tyron' are more disease resistant.
A. kalkora - Similar to A. julibrissin, Asian native. Can reach up to 60ft (18m) tall. Larger leaves. Rough bark and creamy flowers.
Zones 7-8.
A. lebbeck - White Siris. Native to Asia, Australia and Africa. Very fast growing, deciduous in dry seasons. Will grow up to 60ft (18
m) in the landscape, but more commonly seen around 30 ft (9 m). Greenish, short lived flowers. Zones 10-12.
A. saman - Monkeypod, Rain Tree. Found from Central America to Brazil, this variety prefers moist tropics. Can grow to 100ft
(30m) tall and just as wide, in the landscape. White flowers. Zones 10-12.
A. tanganyicensis - Paperbark Albizia. Native of Africa. Reaches 40ft in the landscape, with naturally crooked and open growth
habit. Creamy, papery exfoliating bark. Flowers on leafless branches in late winter or early spring. Zones 9-11.
Other Information: Albizia is not related to other trees also called Mimosa trees. Be certain of the genus.
Albizia will leaf out late in cooler climates, responding more to temperature than to day length.
Silk Tree, Mimosa (Albizia)
Albizia julibrissin tree in Sevastopol