Albizia julibrissin 'Tropical Dream' - Persian Silk Tree
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Albizia julibrissin ‘Tropical Dream’ is the sort of tree that can completely change the atmosphere of a garden. Also known as the Persian Silk Tree, it develops an elegant, spreading crown filled with finely divided, fern-like leaves, giving it a wonderfully light and airy appearance.
Summer brings the real show. Unusual powder-puff flowers appear among the foliage, made up of masses of long, silky stamens in creamy white flushed with soft pink. Their feathery texture looks particularly beautiful against the fresh green leaves and gives ‘Tropical Dream’ an unmistakably exotic character.
Despite its tropical looks, this selection has been chosen for improved cold tolerance. Give it a warm, sheltered spot and it makes a fabulous specimen tree for a sunny lawn, courtyard or Mediterranean-inspired planting scheme, eventually developing into an impressive feature with a broad, graceful canopy.
Supplied in approx. 2 litre containers.
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Grow ‘Tropical Dream’ in full sun in a warm, sheltered position, ideally protected from cold, drying winds. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil and avoid ground that remains waterlogged, particularly during winter. Water regularly while the tree is establishing, but once settled Albizia can cope with periods of summer dryness. Container-grown specimens will need more consistent watering and feeding during active growth. Little pruning is normally required beyond removing dead, damaged or poorly placed branches, preferably in late spring once new growth is underway. Young plants benefit from winter protection while establishing, especially in colder areas, and a sheltered position will help protect both the tree and its summer flowering display.
The name julibrissin comes from the Persian word gul-i abrisham, meaning “silk flower”, a reference to those extraordinary fine, thread-like stamens. Albizia also has another fascinating trick: its delicate leaflets naturally fold together at night and reopen with the daylight, a movement known as nyctinasty.