Fine, feathery foliage, emerges green but quickly turns red-bronze and then matures to a deep mahonagny. It also produces small clusters of spidery, pink-tipped cream blooms in late summer. Plant it where it will get lots of sun and a little shelter from the worst of the winter weather, in freely draining soil. A magnificent small tree that will add an exotic feel to the planting scheme, it has a lightness and delicacy that is quite beguiling.
How to care for Albizia julibrissin Summer Chocolate:
Avoid excessive winter wet and protect from hard frosts in colder areas. Add a top-dressing of a multi-purpose fertiliser around the base of the plant in late spring. No routine pruning is required, just remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter when they are fully dormant.
Eventual height:
6m
Eventual spread:
6m