Albizia julibrissin - Silk Tree

Small deciduous tree with finely cut foliage, Albizia julibrissin, also known as Silk Tree, evokes the lightness of a mimosa. It flowers in summer, with clusters of pink and fragrant stamens grouped towards the top of its branches. It thrives in sunlight, well-drained soil, and a sheltered position away from cold winds.

Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family, whose range extends from Iran to eastern China. It typically reaches a height of 2.5 to 3m (8 to 10ft) in our climates, with a spreading crown that is equivalent to or slightly larger than its height. It flowers in July-August, producing fluffy and silky inflorescences that have earned it the name Silk Tree. These inflorescences are actually made up of long, visible pink stamens, surpassing the rudimentary corollas grouped in heads. The fragrance of the flowers is mostly noticeable up close, powdery and sweet. The flowering gives way to a fruit, a flat pod, 8 to 20 cm (3 to 8in) long, initially green and then brown, containing 5 to 15 fairly large oval seeds, which germinate easily. The leaves, deciduous and light green, are alternate and very large, measuring from 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16in). They are divided into large leaflets, which are further subdivided into small leaflets. The bark is thin, initially grey-green and then grey, almost smooth, with whitish lenticels. Finally, and this is a characteristic of plants in the Fabaceae family, the roots form nodules capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, through specific bacteria present in these organs. The taproot system of this small tree does not tolerate transplanting well. The lifespan of the Albizia varies, but in our climates it typically reaches around thirty years.

The Silk Tree, with its majestic and airy silhouette, is planted as a single specimen to provide a light shade, for example on a patio. Its flowering enhances its exotic nature. Care must be taken to ensure its hardiness by planting it in well-drained soil, in sunlight, and sheltered from dominant winds and cold drafts.