Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin) Persian Silk Tree Happiness Tree Silk Tree
Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin) Persian Silk Tree Happiness Tree Silk Tree
Perennial
The Mimosa tree, also known as the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or happiness tree, is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern Asia and eastern Asia. The genus is named after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe in the mid-18th century.
This beautiful and exotic looking tree is a small to medium sized ornamental specimen; bark is smooth and grey, and bears fern like foliage with very showy pink fan shaped flowers. The Mimosa Tree is an exceptionally fast-growing tree - expect it to quickly reach between 20 and 25 feet high, and 10 to 20 feet wide and is known to grow as much as 5 feet in a growing season!
The trees grow best with moist, well-draining, light soil, but they tolerate both clay and sand, as well as alkaline and acidic soils; they do not grow well in salty soils, which makes them a marginal plant for coastal areas. Note: mimosa trees bloom when they are about 10 ft tall. Each tree grows to this height at different rates, based on soil nutrients and moisture availability. Additionally, the mimosa must be old enough to have extensive branches for blossom development. Mimosa will withstand drought, high winds and is quite resilient.
- Full sun
- Moist well draining soil
- It is recommend to soak the seeds 24 hours in water: nick the seed and drop in just-boiled water - allow to soak overnight.
- To avoid root disturbance when transplanting, use biodegradable pots or ensure growing medium is a light starter mix ( peat free) soil; minimal root disturbance when removing to plant is essential.
- Start seeds indoors about 4-5 weeks prior to last frost; press seeds into the soil and lightly cover with 1/8 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist until germination. Cover the pot with clear plastic to help hold in the moisture, and ensure to remove the plastic as soon as there is a sprout.
- Keep soil/pots in bright light and warm conditions with even moisture.
- Germination takes about 1 week
- Harden off gradually over a week and transplant seedlings outdoors when daytime temperatures are at least 65 degrees.
- Harvest: the 5 in seed pods follow the flowers and persist into winter; they resemble flat bean pods containing 5 to 16 seeds per pod - pick when they are dried and store for next season.
- Allow for width and height
- Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Seed Count: 5