Albizia julibrissin

La Albizia julibrissin It is one of the ornamental trees that are most cultivated in regions with a temperate-warm climate. Its glass, when opened, casts a pleasant shade over time, something that is certainly appreciated as it helps us better withstand the summer heat. In addition, although it can reach an interesting height, its trunk does not thicken too much, making it ideal for small or medium-sized gardens.

Its maintenance is not complicated; in fact, it does not usually have problems with pests or diseases, and it is capable of withstanding periods -short, yes- of drought.

What is the origin and characteristics of the Albizia julibrissin?

La Albizia julibrissin, known as the silk tree, acacia with silky flowers (not to be confused with the trees of the genus Acacia, as they are different), or acacia of Constantinople, It is a species native to Southeast and East Asia., specifically from eastern Iran to China and Korea. It was described by Antonio Durazzini and published in »Magazzino toscano» in 1772.

It is a deciduous tree, whose maximum height is 15 meters. It develops a wide and wide crown, composed of thin branches from which bipinnate leaves 20 to 45cm long by 12 to 25cm wide, divided into 6 to 12 pairs of pinnae or leaflets, which are green or brown. dark in variety Albizia julibrissin 'Summer chocolate'. The trunk is more or less straight, with dark gray bark turning greenish as it ages.

Blooms in spring. The flowers are grouped in terminal panicles, pinkish in color. The fruit is a legume about 15cm long by 3cm wide, containing hard, dark brown, ovoid seeds that ripen in mid/late summer.

What uses does it have?

La Albizia julibrissin It is a very decorative and easy to care for plant, which is why its most widespread use is precisely the ornamental. But it is interesting to know that it is also used as medicinal: the bark of its trunk has anthelmintic properties, that is, antiparasitic, and also serves to heal wounds.

If you have cattle, you can give them the seeds, as they are edible for them. And lastly, the flowers are rich in nectar, which will attract bees.

What are the care of the acacia of Constantinople?

They are not very complicated. For it to be alright it needs to be in full sun, receive water about 2-3 times a week (less during the autumn-winter), and if it is fertilized regularly during the spring and summer, it will surely grow with great health and strength.. For this you can use any type of fertilizer, being more recommended the organic ones (guano, compost, algae,...) especially if you want to take advantage of its benefits.

If we talk about the ground, it is not demanding. I can tell you that I have seen specimens planted in alkaline soil, with not too good drainage and somewhat poor in nutrients, and they were quite fine. So you don't have to worry about that  . In any case, you can grow it in a pot with universal substrate, and even as a bonsai in akadama, although it is not unusual for it not to flower in these conditions or to do so very little.

Does not need pruning, but obviously if you have it in a container, it is advisable to prune it from time to time, at the end of winter, in order to control its growth.

With regard to pests and diseases, you should know that it does not have any remarkable ones. Maybe some cochineal, but nothing serious. You can treat it with diatomaceous earth, which is a highly effective natural insecticide, but it is not essential.

To get new copies its seeds are sown in spring or autumn, first subjecting them to a pregerminative treatment known as thermal shock. It consists of placing them in a glass of boiling water for a second, and immediately after 24 hours in another glass of water at room temperature. After that time, they are planted in pots or any other seedbed outside, in semi-shade, so that they germinate in about two or three weeks maximum.

Otherwise, it resists frosts down to -18ºC, but on the other hand it could not live in climates where the temperature never dropped below 0 degrees.