Albizzia lophantha [syn. Paraserianthes] (Plume Albizzia) seeds

Exotic looking, deciduous small tree or large shrub from Australia with beautiful, acacia-like, bipinnate foliage and bottlebrush-like spikes of pink or sulphur-yellow flowers. Closely related to the better known Persian Silk Tree - Albizzia julibrissin and as such also suitable for bonsai treatment and for containers. This shrub is not completely hardy, so will need frost protection with fleece in winter.

Half-Hardy Shrub/Tree - protect from frost with fleece.
Flowers: Summer
Height: up to 8m if not pruned back.
Position: Sun

Packet of 20 seeds

GROWING GUIDE 

Seeds can be sown at any time of year.

• Soak seeds for 12-24 hours or until seeds swell.
• Sow seeds well spaced, 3mm deep in pots of moist seed compost mixed 50:50 with vermiculite or perlite.
• Seal inside a polythene bag and place on a sunny windowsill or in a propagator, and maintain at 20-25C, watering as needed to keep compost just moist.
• Germination can be erratic and takes 1-3 months.

• As the seedlings emerge, increase ventilation by opening the bag or propagator vents.
• When they are large enough to handle, transplant into 7-9cm pots taking care not to disturb any remaining seeds too much.
• Grow in in slightly cooler conditions - about 18-21C.
• Re-pot as necessary into larger pots.

• Once established, gradually acclimatise the little trees to outdoor conditions from mid spring by placing them outdoors during the day for 2 weeks, before planting out in the garden/container.
• Protect young trees from frost by moving containers to a frost free place over winter, or for trees planted in the garden, by wrapping in fleece and/or a fleece jacket.