Mimosa tree, Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) Perennial Seed 30 Broadleaf, deciduous tree, 20-30 ft (6-9 m), fast growing, spreading crown, does not leaf out until very late in spring (Don't be too quick cut down the "dead" tree in spring.) Leaves alternate, large, up to 50 cm long, bipinnately compound, many oblong leaflets, each only 6-12 mm long. No fall color, leaves stay green until killed by frost. Showy pin-cushion-like flower clusters, 3.5 cm wide with 2 cm long pink statmens. Fruit a flat, thin pod, 5-7 × 1 inches (13-18 × 2.5 cm), often somewhat curled, green then brown, persist into winter. Sun, transplants readily, very adaptable, withstands drought, high pH, soil salinity and wind. Performs best in areas of high summer heat. It is very susceptible to a vascular wilt disease caused by Fusarium, a disorder that is wide spread in the southern US. Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Native range from Iran to central China. It was introduced into the U.S. in 1785, or earlier, and became a popular landscape tree. It "escaped" from cultivation and is now naturalized from New Jersey to Louisiana and in California.

Although mimosa trees have many attractive features and can make an ornamental specimen plant on a lawn, there are a number of important factors to weigh before planting it in your garden. First, it is an invasive species in many parts of the United States, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and of concern in others. It is not at this time on the invasive species list in New York State but it is currently being monitored for invasive potential (Tier M) by Long Island and Lower Hudson Valley Invasive Species Management.

Nick seed and drop in just-boiled water and allow to soak overnight. Plant about 1/2 inch deep and keep in bright light and warm conditions with even moisture. Germination takes about 1 week. Seedlings should be pricked into gallon pots and grown out for a year before transplanting to landscape. The tree also is quite comely if left in a pot, but in that case the tree should be moved to a larger pot after the first year. In large pots, these are elegant.