About

Albizia julibrissin 'Shidare' is a sizable shrub characterized by its finely divided, green bipinnate foliage and a graceful, weeping form. During the summer, it produces soft, pink flower clusters featuring prominent stamens. This plant adds a unique touch to smaller gardens, making it suitable for limited spaces, and can be trained to grow against walls.

About the genus

Albizia includes a range of deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbing plants. They feature bipinnate foliage consisting of numerous small leaflets. The flower clusters are made up of many tiny flowers, notable for their prominent stamens.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil, preferably in full sun for best flower production. Alternating mild and cold spells may damage top-growth. Saplings should flower in three years. Drought-tolerant and thrives in high summer heat and humidity
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained
Propagation
Propagate by rooting semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or by seed: collect seeds from pea-like pods and soften their coats in very hot water, leave to cool for 24 hours and sow. After germination transplant into root trainers to avoid disturbing tap roots
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt