Albizia julibrissin var. Summer Chocolate - Purple Silk Tree - Plant in 9cm Pot

The species occur naturally from the Middle East to China and Korea. These very beautiful Mimosa like trees are one of my favourites. Var. Summer Chocolate is a striking and unusual small tree or shrub that has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Exquisite and dainty, finely cut deep purple foliage and fascinating, fragrant, fluffy purplish pink flowers with luminescent white centres. A real eye catcher. This Albizia is not very hardy but will survive and flower outside if planted in a sunny south facing location in the warmest most sheltered parts of the UK. In other locations it must be given frost protection in winter. Can be pruned after flowering so will also make an excellent conservatory plant as well as a very effective bonsai subject. Really, a very beautiful tree and ideal for small gardens. This plant can be used in a mixed planting, or as a stand alone specimen in the garden or can easily be grown in a pot or other container. These plants are not ericaceous and can be grown in ordinary compost, however they will grow better and give better colour in neutral to acid soil so an ericaceous compost is recommended. The young leaves in spring emerge dark green but quickly turn deep purple unless they are in shade, when they will stay dark green. Grow in full sun for best colour. Ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 8-9 month applied in the early spring. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires for the whole year.