Albizia julibrissin 'Boubri' OMBRELLA® - silk tree
Mimosaceae plants are popular mainly in southern Europe as they are very drought tolerant. Even though they come from subtropical parts of the world we can also grow some of them in our climate. Ombrella® belongs to the hardy group. It was a chance selection from France which was observed and cultivated, and later on patented under the name Boubri. It differs from the species by darker leaves and deeply coloured flowers.
Exotic looking flowers are pinky-red, hairy spheres with yellowish centres, 3-5 cm large and with a sweet fragrance. Fern-like leaves are deep green, compound. They close for the night and re-open in the morning, just like mimosa when touched.
It is a medium-sized tree with irregular, flat or umbrella-shaped, spreading crown. It needs warm, neutral to alkaline, preferably poor or slightly fertile soil. Mulching is good for winter but in the summer it prefers direct sunlight onto the area above roots so it can collect as much warmth as possible for better flowering. Ombrella® is good for tree forms as it makes a firm, vertical trunk. Do not use fertilizers apart from those for profuse flowering only.
If the tree grows at its natural speed the branches will mature well and will not be damaged by frost. Its reliable hardiness is -20°C but can be extended by no fertilizing and growing in a protected location to about -25°C. Even if the branches are damaged by frost it readily regenerates from healthy, even older wood.
