Growing Mimosa Trees (Albizia)

To choose the right tree, you have to be careful to use its proper name as mimosa is also the common name of another beautiful tree. A true mimosa does not survive temperatures as low as 23 degrees F (-5 degrees C)

The tree called mimosa tree is in fact an Albizia. The majority of the Albizias grow in region with maximum low temperature of -10 degrees F (-23 degrees C) and they all resist dryness, but some of them survive lower temperatures like:

• Albizia julibrissin Ernest Wilson : survives temperature as low as 5 degrees F (-15 degrees C)
• Albizia julibrissin Ombrella or Bourbri : 0 degrees F (-17 degrees C)
• Albizia julibrissin Pendula : -10 degrees F (-23 degrees C)

Caring for the Albizia is easy as you only have to plant it in a place where it will be protected from the wind and with enough space, branches can be 5 to 6 meters long. No pruning is needed.

To really appreciate its beauty and the fabulous scent of its flowers, plant it in a place where you can see it from above as the flowers only grow on the canopy of the tree and their perfume goes up in the air, from the ground level you can't smell it and you can't see the canopy covered with flowers.

By Catherine