Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) produce ferny foliage and sweetly scented blooms, which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The leaves of chocolate mimosa (Albizia julibrissin “Summer Chocolate”) turn a luscious mahogany color when the tree is grown in full sun.
Pretty But Tough
Also called silk tree, a mimosa looks delicate, but it is a drought-tolerant, fast-growing trees that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Chocolate mimosa grows 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide and has a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy. It provides dappled shade and a tropical look.
Take Good Care
Soak young trees weekly to establish a strong root system. Prune out brittle or crossing branches. Mimosas litter the ground with fallen blossoms, leaves, twigs and seedpods, so keep your rake handy for what will become an ongoing chore. Pull up seedlings so your yard isn't overrun by this invasive plant. Chocolate mimosa is a natural variant, so its seeds are viable. Do not plant it if you live in an area where it's considered invasive.
A mimosa tree blooms starting in late April and continues to flower until early July. Mimosa trees grow quickly, so if you do not see any blooms during flowering season after planting the mimosa tree, check for disease or poor soil quality.
A mimosa tree, known scientifically as "albizia julibrissin," is a deciduous tree with foliage that resembles a fern. The foliage of the mimosa tree falls off during the winter months.
The Mimosa Silk Tree, Albizia julibrissin, produces a bean like seed that is bright red in color. The seeds are extremely poisonous to animals, causing seizures or death when ingested. The tree is considered an invasive species that should not be planted.
The best place to buy Mimosa Tenuiflora, better known as Jurema, is from a locally trusted nursery in your region. Many nurseries will order the Mimosa Tenuiflora plant for their patrons, but you also can order these plants from Botanical Spirit online.
The chocolate mimosa (Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate') is a messy tree. The Missouri Botanical garden calls the mimosa "messy, weak-wooded and invasive." Its seed pods grow up to 7 inches long, and the seeds easily germinate wherever they fall.
The best time to plant a mimosa tree, also known as a silk tree, is in the fall season. Plant the tree as a seedling or sow mimosa seeds directly into the soil. A mature mimosa tree will produce blooms from mid to late summer.