Albizia julibrissin Rosea

Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' is a deciduous small tree with fine and dissected foliage, also known as the Pink Silk Tree or Persian Acacia. Its lightness evokes a mimosa. This variety offers summer flowering with fragrant pink stamen clusters deeper in colour than the type species, grouped towards the top of its branches. It appreciates sun, well-drained soil, and a position sheltered from cold winds. Perfect for small gardens, it will embellish them while providing a pleasant light shade.

Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' is a deciduous small tree of the Fabaceae family, whose range extends from Iran to eastern China. This variety has been awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. This tree usually reaches a height of 2.5 to 3 m (8 in 2 ft - 9 in 10 ft) in our climates. If the growing conditions suit, it can reach a height of 6 to 8 m (19 in 8 ft - 26 in 2 ft) with a spread of 4 m (13 in 1 ft). It has a spreading crown on a diameter equivalent to or slightly larger than its height. It blooms in July-August, producing feathery and silky inflorescences that have earned it the name Silk Tree. They are actually made up of long, visible deep pink stamens, surpassing the rudimentary corollas grouped in heads. The scent of the flowers is most noticeable up close, and is powdery and sweet. The flowering gives way to a fruit, a flat pod, 8 to 20 cm (3.1 - 7.9 in) long, initially green then brown, containing 5 to 15 fairly large oval seeds, which germinate easily. The deciduous light green leaves are alternate and very large, measuring from 15 to 40 cm (5.9 - 15.7 in). They are divided into large leaflets, themselves subdivided into small leaflets. The bark is thin, grey-green 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 is variable, in European climates it usually reaches about thirty years.

The Pink Silk Tree with its majestic and airy silhouette is planted individually, to provide light shade on the terrace for example. Its blooms show off its exotic side. It is important to ensure its hardiness by planting in well-drained soil, in the sun, and sheltered from prevailing winds and cold drafts.