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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 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Loam
Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H3
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

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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