Albizia chinensis
Chinese silk tree
A large deciduous fast growing tropical or subtropical tree, often multi-stemmed with a flat spreading crown and delicate mimosa-like divided leaves composed of many tiny leaflets. Roundish fluffy creamy white powder-puff flowers are produced in wide open panicles at the top of the tree, followed by clusters of long, narrow, pale brown pods that can hang on into winter.
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream White Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Green Brown | ||
| Winter | Brown Bronze |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Albizia can be deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with attractive bipinnate leaves with tiny leaflets, and flowerheads composed of many small flowers with prominent stamens
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Alternating mild and cold spells may damage top-growth. Saplings should flower in three years.
Propagation
Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer. Propagate by seed: collect seeds from pea-like pods and soften their coats in very hot water, leave to cool for 24 hours and sow. After germination transplant into root trainers to avoid disturbing tap roots.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
- Coastal
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained.
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus
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