Plant Library

Other Names:  Silktree

Description:

Attractive airy foliage and open umbrella-like form make this a highly desired tree, casts light shade, leaves tend to close for the night; interesting and graceful pink fuzzy flowers are fragrant and will scent the air

Ornamental Features

Mimosa features showy fragrant pink pincushion flowers along the branches in mid summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruits are showy brown pods displayed in early fall.

Landscape Attributes

Mimosa is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Mimosa is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Mimosa will grow to be about 35 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.