It may be invasive in your area. I grew up with them and they are all over down here, but temperate or tropical they pop up everywhere. If you are sure you want one, wherever you saw this one will have seedlings or seeds below it.
Thanks, I'll stop in and ask them. Courtenay is mostly Zone 6 so quite temperate, but we have some very cold spells some winters, which would help keep the population down.
Albizia julibrissin is not considered invasive in Canada the way it is in the southern US and parts of California - most of the country is too cold and even here on the west coast, winters can be hard on them with snow breaking branches. I have seen them for sale in several nurseries in the mid-Vancouver Island area but they're probably not always available. A newer cultivar called Summer Chocolate has dark leaves. Do some reading about silk tree before buying one because, even though they are beautiful, there are a number of negatives besides potential invasiveness.
Thanks Margot, I will look into it further before planting one. I have done a bit of reading so far and haven't come up with any negatives yet, but I'll keep reading.
Things that would make me think twice about planting Albizia julibrissin may not apply in your location . . . - grows aggressively, including wide-spreading roots - needs regular watering - does not leaf out until the end of May - shedding leaves, flowers and pods can be messy - weak-wooded limbs can be damaged by strong winds and ice or snow - susceptible to web worm, wilts and canker
Now I'm rethinking the silk tree I bought at an Earth Day event. Are they really messy on cars? Sticky or just need raking? Will they bloom in June?
Ignore all that. I have just figured out that it is an "Ivory Silk" tree which is a chinese lilac tree. Completely different creature. I wish they had put Latin names on it. I love the silk tree flowers and leaves so am slightly disappointed but the ivory silk has fewer problems. thanks for your reply.
