Plant Name:  Persian Silk Tree (also known as “Mimosa Tree”)

Botanical Name:  Albizia julibrissin

Origin: Native to Asia, ranging from Iran to Japan.

Height/Physical Description:  This is a deciduous tree. Rapidly reaches the height of 40 feet tall and wide.  Bright yellowish/green, fern-like leaves. It blooms in Summer with pink powder puff flowers and seed pods.

Special Attributes:  Beautiful open canopy tree with pink powder puff flowers that are loved by bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Thrives in hot Summer heat.  Grows fast with regular water.

Purchasing:  Private nurseries and online.

Planting Requirements: No special soil requirements.

Watering:  Regular water when getting established.

Fertilizing:  No special fertilizer required.  Compost provides moisture retention and slow fertilizing.

Harvesting:  Nothing to harvest.

Pruning:  Remove and prune dead, broken and cross branches in Fall and Winter after leaves have dropped.

Pest:  Mites, shot hole borer and webworms.

Diseases:  Mimosa wilt (fusarium wilt), a soil borne fungal disease.

Additional Information:  Grows well in Sunset Western Zones 4-23.  It handles both heat and cold.