Pink Silk Tree

Pink Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) throws a broad umbrella of ferny foliage about 7m tall and 7m wide, then covers it through summer in silky pink powder puff flowers. Few trees build usable shade this quickly, and fewer still look this exotic while shrugging off frost, heat and drought.

Why you'll love it

• Shade in short order. A fast growing tree that spreads into a wide, flat topped canopy you can sit under within a few years.
• A long summer flower show. The fluffy pink blooms keep coming for weeks and hum with bees, butterflies and nectar feeding birds.
• Dappled, garden friendly shade. The fine leaflets cast light shade, so lawn and underplanting keep growing beneath it.
• Climate flexible. Frost hardy yet heat and drought tolerant, it performs from cool temperate gardens to the subtropics.
• Sculptural in winter. Deciduous, with a spreading vase of branches that looks deliberate even when bare.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Set it over a lawn, seating area or western window where you want summer relief and winter sun. Give it open ground, because it is not a tree for tight spaces.

Driveways and avenues. With canopies reaching 7m wide, allow 6m to 8m between trunks for a continuous flowering roof over a drive.

Feature planting. The umbrella silhouette reads beautifully against sky or roofline as a single specimen on a larger block.

Growing Pink Silk Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with room for the full spread. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates, handling frost, heatwaves and dry spells once established.

Soil. Not fussy. Any free draining soil will do, and lean soil is no obstacle.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers. After that it is drought tolerant and rarely needs the hose. Feeding is largely unnecessary in garden soil.

Pruning. Establish a clear trunk and balanced frame while the tree is young. Remove any suckers at ground level as they appear, and rake up spent seed pods to limit self seeding.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Silk Tree as young trees in 400mm pots and as advanced 75L and 90L stock with a formed trunk and canopy. It is deciduous, so a tree bought in the cooler months may arrive bare and then leaf out with real warmth in late spring. Growth is quick once the roots are down, often a metre a year in the early seasons.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all flowering trees
• Compare fast growing shade trees
• More feature tree options
• Planting and care basics for new trees

Common questions

Is it messy?

Honestly, a little. Spent flowers drop through summer and seed pods follow in autumn, and it will self seed if pods are left to lie. A rake under the canopy every few weeks in season keeps it civilised.

Can I plant it near paving or the pool?

No. The root system suckers and the tree self seeds, so keep it well away from paving, pool surrounds and pipes. Open lawn or a large garden bed is the right home.

Is it safe for dogs?

The seeds and pods are toxic to dogs if eaten, so rake pods up promptly through autumn if your dog forages under trees.

Why is my tree still bare in spring?

Pink Silk Tree is late to leaf out. It often waits for settled warmth before breaking bud, sometimes weeks after other deciduous trees, then catches up quickly.