Albizia julibrissin Ombrella ('Boubri'PBR)

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silk tree [Ombrella]

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Synonyms

Albizia julibrissin 'Boubri'

Trees Shrubs
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A small deciduous tree or tall shrub with a broad, spreading crown that flowers profusely at a young age. The rich green, ferny mimosa-like leaves are composed of many small leaflets. Clusters of fluffy, cherry-pink fragrant flowers with long stamens open on the top of the crown in summer, followed by long, narrow, pale brown pods that can hang on into winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. 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
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Minimal pruning required. Pruning group 1 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework when dormant.

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly if grown under glass.

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus