Albizia julibrissin 'Pos1' TROPICAL DREAM silk tree
size/type
small tree,taller shrub
usual height
3-5m
usual width
3-6m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-August
location
full sun
soil type
neutral to alkaline
soil moisture requirements
dry and sharply drained (xeriscape)
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Mimosaceae plants are common and popular mainly in southern Europe for their high tolerance to drought as well as attractive and long lasting flowering. Even though they come from subtropical parts of the world there is one species hardy enough to be grown in our climate - silk tree. It originates from Iran and is typical for its dome-shaped canopy and pink flowers over a long period in summer.
Description of the plant:
TROPICAL DREAM is a silk tree variety from Belgium where it was selected by Johan Possemiers around 1984. It was selected among many seedlings raised from seeds collected around Seoul in South Korea. Though, it took many years to reach the trade as only in 2015 it was first introduced at Plantarium exhibition in Boskoop, the Netherlands. Its flowers are sweetly scented, rich pink, 3-5 cm wide, hairy spheres with nearly white centres. They bloom from early July for over 2 months if the summer is sunny and warm. Fern-like, compound leaves are soft green, close for the night, and re-open in the morning, just like mimosa when touched. They emerge very late in spring. The tree looks very exotic and deserves an attractive location in the landscape, best accompanied by other plants of Mediterranean habit.
It is a fast growing, small to medium-sized, multi-stemmed shrub or tree with irregular, flat or umbrella-shaped, spreading crown. Pruning is possible in early spring after all frosts. Do not cut deeper than about a third of previous year’s growth, otherwise it will not flower that season. TROPICAL DREAM along with Evi’s Pride are varieties renowned for their resistance to mimosa wilt disease which is a dangerous, mostly fatal fungi disease of this species. Still, we recommend you read this article to follow the instructions in case you spot the symptoms and we strongly suggest you do the procedure as prevention on annual basis.
Grow it in full sun only. It needs warm, neutral to slightly alkaline, preferably poor or slightly fertile soil. Mulching is good for winter but in the summer it prefers direct sunlight onto the area above roots so it can collect as much warmth as possible for better flowering. Still, never allow freshly transplanted specimens weed with grass for at least 3 years. If the tree grows at its natural speed the branches will mature well and will not be damaged by frost. Its reliable hardiness is -25°C (USDA zone 6). Even if the branches are damaged by unexpectedly stronger frost it readily regenerates from healthy, even older wood.
Last update 24-02-2020
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