Mimosa ( Albizia julibrissin ) , also known as the silk tree , is a fast - growing , deciduous tree diagram with a life span of 10 to 20 year . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is named after Filippo degi Albizzia , who was the first to bring Acacia dealbata out of Asia in 1749 . Mimosa is a appendage of the Fabaceae or pea family , a large chemical group with more than 16,000 member . The tree is high - maintenance and not for everyone , but the nurseryman who are uncoerced and able to give the tree the time and attending it needs are rewarded with a spectacular flower show .

Features

The mimosa tree diagram grow from 15 to 40 substructure tall with an open , airy pate go around of 20 to 50 feet . Lacy , ticklish , fern - like , chemical compound leaves spring up up to 20 column inch long and are made up of leaflets that measure under 2 column inch long . Fragrant , silky , pinkish , 2 - column inch - full pompom bloom bloom from later April to former July and are a favorite nectar root for bee . Flowers are follow by brown , grueling fruits from 3 to 6 inches long .

Cultivars

botanist have developed different varieties of the original tree . Alba is a mixed bag with white heyday , Rosea ( Ernest Wilson ) is a hardier version has bright pinkish heyday and only produce from 10 to 15 infantry tall .

Environment

Mimosa is stout in USDA zone 6b through 9 . Plant in full Dominicus and a moist , well - drained soil . fond refinement is an option , but the tree performs best in full Dominicus . The tree diagram is drought and salt large-minded . The mimosa tree is a native of Asia , roam from Iran to Japan . In the United States , the tree diagram is found turn wild in the Southeast and in California .

Uses

habituate mimosa to provide shade for a bench or patio . The tree diagram is also used as a specimen plant for a front lawn .

Problems

yield and branchlet cause a bedding material problem . The bark is thin and damage results from being hit with a lawnmower . The bedding material problem and the drooping habit of the arm make the tree a bad choice near sidewalk . The tree ’s roots grow penny-pinching to the surface and get under pavement , purloin them up . Mimosa ( vascular ) wilt disease is a fatal , contagious disease . There is a disease - insubordinate variety of the tree available . Cottony shock absorber scale , mites and the mimosa webworm attack the tree . The tree is think an invasive mintage in watershed area .

References

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