How to Grow a Pretty Mimosa or Silk Tree for a Landscape

Mimosa trees are beautiful when grown properly

The mimosa tree, also called a silk tree, is in the Albizia family, and grows in southern United States. Many of these trees in our area are lopsided and bent. You can prevent that with proper planting and care.

The mimosa or silk tree is spectacular in the south, when it is planted properly and cared for correctly. Here's how.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A tiny mimosa tree or seed in a pot
• Proper planting and care

1. Plant the mimosa tree seedling in a sunny location

   ACQUIRE a mimosa seed or tiny seedling and plant it in a container. Let it grow in a sunny area until it is large enough to find if you plant it in the yard.

2. Silk trees have wonderful blooms

   PLANT in a sunny location away from other trees or shrubs. If you want your mimosa to grow straight and pretty, it is important to have it away from other vegetation. Make sure you do not hit it with a weed trimmer and skin the bark.

3. You can shape your mimosa tree

   Every year (January in this area) before leaf buds begin to form, and while the tree is young, CUT the larger branches back about one-third, shaping the tree as you cut. Cut off all branches less than the size of a pencil. If the tree leans one way, cut more on that side so it is heavier on the other side. Do this every year until you can no longer reach with a step ladder. At this point your tree should be shaped nicely and will take charge of its own body.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant your mimosa in the grass and not where it will grow over the house. It loses flowers, leaves, and grows seed pods at different times of the year.

• Mimosa trees are fast growing, but have a shorter lifespan than many of the landscape trees.

• copyright 2009 Linda Richard

• If you plant your mimosa in an area over your roof, it will drop flowers and leaves in places difficult to clean.

• Mimosa trees often have little seedlings come up in the area, but if you have a heavy grass, this will be prevented. If your grass is thin, you may want to reconsider planting this beautiful tree.

• The mimosa is a deciduous tree and will lose leaves in the fall.

Resources

• Landscaping on a Budget
• Attract birds butterflies to your backyard
• How to Make a Flower Pot from a Birdbath
• Landscape a Seventies Yard Modernize