Albizia julibrissin

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Other common names

bastard tamarind, nemu tree

Synonyms

Acacia julibrissin

Trees
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A medium-sized, deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown. The large, mimosa-like leaves are composed of many small leaflets. Fluffy, greenish-yellow flowers with long stamens open on the top of the crown in summer, followed by clusters of long, narrow, pale brown pods that can hang on into winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Plant Range
Transcaucasus to Japan

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

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants

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