Albizia, Chocolate Mimosa, Purple-Leaf Mimosa Tree 'Summer Chocolate'

Albiziajulibrissin

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Albizia (al-BIZ-ee-uh)
Species
julibrissin (joo-lih-BRISS-in)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
Pollen may cause allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Trees
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Burgundy/Maroon
Dark/Black
Orange/Apricot
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Green Valley, Arizona

Peoria, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Elk Grove, California

Martinez, California

Reseda, California

San Francisco, California(2 reports)

San Leandro, California

Grand Junction, Colorado

Sanford, Florida

Atlanta, Georgia

Champaign, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Covington, Louisiana

Deridder, Louisiana

Fallston, Maryland

Pahrump, Nevada

Burlington, New Jersey

Mesilla Park, New Mexico

Brooklyn, New York

Middletown, New York

Pound Ridge, New York

Yorktown Heights, New York

Mentor, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Bristol, Rhode Island

North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Edisto Island, South Carolina

Belton, Texas

Chandler, Texas

Galveston, Texas

Marion, Texas

Round Rock, Texas

Amelia Court House, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Buckley, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

Erbacon, West Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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V
(Zone 8a) | November 2020 | positive

I have grown this plant in amended clay, very limited supplemental water and it has done well, although grown rather slowly. I have grow...Read More

S
San Francisco, CA | September 2015 | positive

I've had my Chocolate Mimosa for three years. I love it. Beautiful, unique specimen plant. Because of drought conditions, years one and t...Read More

B
Jefferson Valley-Yorktown, NY | November 2013 | positive

zone 6b and my chocolate silk is growing like crazy. Fall of 2012 it was 4 ft tall with a 1 inch caliper ,now it a full 7 footer with a ...Read More

M
Cypress, CA | September 2013 | positive

I first saw this tree (about 7-8'specimen) in an independent nursery just south of Sacramento. Should have bought it then. The next day...Read More

R
Chicago, IL | June 2013 | positive

I have owned my Albizia for 3 years. I love it. I also keep my Albizia - summer chocolate - in a planter. Since I live in zone 5, I winte...Read More

G
Champaign, IL (Zone 5a) | September 2011 | positive

i live in central illinois, i bought one of these at lowes knowing it wouldnt winter over, however in late spring the following year i lo...Read More

G
G
Mesilla Park, NM | August 2011 | positive

We finally found a local source for this cultivar and planted two 4 ' trees. They are doing great and didn't skip a beat in this heat at...Read More

T
T
Mentor, OH (Zone 6a) | July 2011 | neutral

I live in north eastern Ohio and this spring I planted a chocolate mimosa. I hope it can survive our harsh winters. I see many of the reg...Read More

D
Berkeley, CA (Zone 11) | November 2008 | neutral

If it gets mimosa-massive -- it might overwhelm us (we're at a community garden in San Francisco)

It did get lopped once, ...Read More

P
Bristol, RI | September 2007 | positive

Just planted this tree in July 2007. New shoots appeared almost immediately and it appears to be prospering. It likes dry poor soil. I wo...Read More

R
R
Lexington, VA (Zone 6a) | September 2006 | positive

We first saw this tree at J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC in October, 2003. We were extremely impressed with the rich 'chocolate'...Read More

I
Denver, CO | October 2005 | positive

There is a young tree at the botanical gardens where I work, and this plant receives more questions and compliments than anything else. ...Read More

A
Round Rock, TX | October 2005 | positive

Tree has grown 2-3 feet in first 5 months since planting. Great color so far!

L
Lake Oswego, OR | February 2005 | positive

A beautiful tree the first year in the ground.Three feet plus of growth over the season. New growth is greenish and changes to chocolate ...Read More

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