Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'PBR
silk tree 'Summer Chocolate'
A large shrub or small tree with a domed crown when mature. Leaves are fern-like, pinkish-bronze or purple and composed of leaflets. Terminal clusters of spherical pinkish or yellow-green flowerheads can be borne in summer
Synonyms
Albizia 'Summer Chocolate'Albizia rosea 'Summer Chocolate'
see moreAlbizia julibrissin Leonidas
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Bronze Purple | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green Pink Yellow | Bronze Purple | ||
Autumn | Bronze Purple | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Can survive low temperatures if growth has been sufficiently ripened in summer. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold or northern gardens so best for southern counties or London gardens
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Mediterranean climate plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
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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