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Albizia julibrissin

Albizia julibrissin

Persian silk tree, Mimosa tree, Pink silk tree

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Description

Albizia julibrissin (Persian silk tree) is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the mimosa family that grows in a range extending from the Eastern Transcaucasus region to Japan. In its natural habitat it is a pioneer species in open ravines, sandy valleys and on dry riverbanks. In the Hyrcanian forests of Iran it is found growing alongside for example Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Gleditsia caspica and Alnus glutinosa. Named in 1772 by Italian botanist Antonio Durazzini after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced the tree to Italy in 1749. The Persian silk tree attains a height of between eight and fifteen metres and forms a characteristic, broad fan-shaped crown seven to ten metres in diameter and almost horizontal branches.

Throughout July and August, Albizia julibrissin is covered with a profusion of fragrant pink to whitish pink flowers. They are held above the foliage in large striking clusters. The long silky stamens give the flowers the appearance of fluffy little balls. In order to flower properly it requires a sunny position and in cooler summers the flowers can be disappointing. The flowers are followed by broad flat pods. The bark of the tree is smooth and grey in colour. Juvenile branches are green and change to grey-brown. The transparent crown of Albizia julibrissin is formed by the 40 cm-long and doubly pinnate dark green leaves, similar to the foliage of Mimosa. The tree closes its leaves at night by folding them in tightly.

Albizia is planted to create a Mediterranean feel and thanks to the nice shade it provides on account of the broad and transparent crown. Given the broad crown shape space is a requirement. The tree tolerates a wide range of soil types and enjoys a sheltered position in full sun. Once established, it makes a drought-tolerant and heat-loving tree. Being a leguminous plant, the tree has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. The flowers produced by the tree are a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators at a time when there are few flowers out.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees half-stem trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers large garden cemetery coastal area

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide vase-shaped wide vase-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

8 - 15 m

Width

7 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

7B - 10B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind slightly tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Albizia julibrissin? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Albizia julibrissin standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Albizia julibrissin standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Albizia julibrissin multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Albizia julibrissin multi-stem
shrub solitary shrubs
Albizia julibrissin solitary shrubs
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Albizia julibrissin multi-stem umbrella
flowers flowers
Albizia julibrissin flowers
leaves leaves
Albizia julibrissin leaves
bark bark
Albizia julibrissin bark
twigs twigs
Albizia julibrissin twigs

Seasonal colours

Albizia julibrissin seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

raceme heads striking scented

Flower colour

pale pink

Flowering period

July - August

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds bright green

Leaves

deciduous lanceolate dissected laciniate pinnate bipinnate nitrogen fixing

Autumn colour

green

Fruits

Fruit colour

pale brown

Fruits

striking large pod

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

olive green pale grey

Twigs

with lenticels horizontal branches long shoots

Root system

Root system

shallow moderately branched coarse roots roots push up surface

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Use
Location
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Pavement
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Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
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Types of planting
Tree types
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Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
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Crown shape
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Topiary on stem
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Topiary
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Height
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Width
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m
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Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
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Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Autumn colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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T +31 (0)485 31 20 21
F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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