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Silk tree

Silk tree

Albizia julibrissin

Garden Balcony Sun TreeMedium

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Profile

Plant group
Deciduous small tree for sheltered gardens and large containers
Growth & habit
A broad, spreading, umbrella-like crown develops with age.
Foliage
Fine, twice-pinnate leaves; leaflets fold at night.
Family
Pea family (Fabaceae)
Origin
Asia, from Iran to Japan.
Height
Usually 4–8 m in gardens; larger in warm regions. Container plants remain smaller.
Bloom
Pink flower clusters in summer, often July to August in warm positions.
Toxicity
Do not eat the seeds; keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Care calendar

Flowering / flower development

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Summer flowers with sufficient warmth.

Guidance for Germany and Central Europe. Position, weather, species and cultivar shift these windows; indoor and container plants also depend on their winter conditions.

Your seasonal care plan

  • January

    Check container winter protection and drainage.

  • February

    Check the root ball on frost-free days; do not let it dry out entirely.

  • March

    Prepare the planting position; do not cut suspected winter damage too early.

  • April

    Watch new growth; repot into a larger, well-drained container if needed.

  • May

    Plant new specimens after local frost risk and water them in.

  • June

    Water young trees deeply in dry weather and check ties.

  • July

    Enjoy flowers and fine foliage; monitor container water demand.

  • August

    Inspect the crown for damaged branches; do not increase feed without a reason.

  • September

    Reassess water use as nights become cooler.

  • October

    Allow natural leaf fall and prepare winter shelter for containers.

  • November

    Insulate pots and move them into shelter from wind.

  • December

    Check protection after storms and prevent standing water.

Highlighted months are guidance, not fixed dates. Observe the plant, root ball and weather; water, feed and repot according to actual need.

Seasonal care intensity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal guidance for Germany. Needs depend on location, weather and species. Check moisture in winter too; these markers are not a feeding schedule.

Peak care Active Reduced care

Care tips

  • Choose a sunny, sheltered position with room for the crown.
  • Water young trees evenly through their first summer.
  • Give container-grown trees extra winter protection.

Fruit & seeds

Fruit and seed formation

Flat pods contain hard seeds. Self-seeding can occur in warm regions; remove unwanted seedlings early.

Harvest and use

An ornamental tree, not a food crop. Collect seed for propagation if needed and store separately from food.

Plant knowledge at a glance

Position, benefits & character

Position & soil

A warm position in full sun. Free-draining soil and shelter help overwintering; roots in pots are more exposed to cold.

Distinctive features

Long stamens create most of the pink display. Flat pods may follow.

Benefits

The open crown adds fine leaf texture near a patio or seating area. Allow room away from paths for the mature branches.

Partners & symbioses

Use against darker foliage for contrast. Choose underplanting that leaves young roots little competition for water.

Pruning & growth habit

A broad, spreading, umbrella-like crown develops with age.

  1. 1. Build the crown

    Remove competing or poorly placed shoots sparingly on young trees. Respect the naturally broad crown.

  2. 2. Assess winter damage

    Wait for growth in spring before removing dead wood back to healthy tissue.

Nursery forms

This overview explains nursery supply forms. It does not indicate current availability in the GREEN24 shop.

Container-grown

Common form

Potted, with a well-rooted but not congested root ball.

Young plant

Common form

Young plants initially need closer attention to watering and winter cold.

Feathered tree

Common form

Multi-stemmed plants develop a broad outline.

Standard

Ask a specialist nursery

Trained standards need appropriate support and room for the crown.

Propagation & grafting

Propagation

Scarify and soak seed before sowing. Grow seedlings separately early and disturb roots as little as possible. Seed does not reliably preserve cultivar traits.

Grafting

Buy clearly named, vegetatively propagated nursery plants for cultivar traits. Grafting is a specialist propagation method, not routine care.

Species & cultivars

Albizia julibrissin

Green-leaved species with pink summer flowers.

Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'

Dark purplish-brown foliage; colour and growth depend on position.

Pests & diseases

These signs support an initial assessment. Different causes may look alike; choose a treatment only after identifying the problem.

Wilting in moist soil

Inspect roots and shoots. Waterlogging or wilt disease may be involved; additional feed does not solve this.

Broken or damaged branches

Inspect after storms and frost. Have major tree damage assessed professionally.

Hardiness · USDA

Hardiness depends on position and age

Suited to mild, sheltered gardens. Protect young plants and containers more carefully; consider wet conditions and fluctuating winter temperatures.

Albizia julibrissin
USDA 6a–9bUSDA range from NC State. RHS rates the species H4; neither system guarantees survival at an individual German site.

USDA zones describe long-term average winter extremes. Containers, young plants, wet soil, wind and late frost need separate consideration.

Understand USDA zones and maps →

A closer look

Growth habit
Growth habit

Growth habit

Silk tree with pink flower clusters and finely divided bipinnate leaves

Botanical features vary with age, species and cultivar.

Matching GREEN24 products

Matching fertilisers and substrates for your plant care.