However, take note that some components of the silk tree can be toxic to animals.
There’s no simpler tree to care once it’s established.
Here are the main care requirements for getting your Persian silk tree off to a great start.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If in the Midwest or South, peek if it is legal to plant.
It is currentlylisted as invasive in various states.
Individual localities may have it in do not plant ordinances in other locations.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
In addition to being invasive, the seeds may be toxic to pets and livestock.
Light
The tree tolerates partial shade but is generally considered intolerant of shade.A.
julibrissinwill thrive in full sunlight, promoting fuller foliage and abundant flowering.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The treesnitrogen-fixingproperties allow it to grow well in soils where other plants would suffer.
Water
The trees habit of naturalizing in wet to dry sites shows thatA.
julibrissinis adaptable regarding moisture conditions.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
After the first season, no supplemental watering should be needed.
Young plants, however, are frost-tender and will not survive hard winters.
Types of Persian Silk Trees
There are numerouscultivarsof the silk tree available.
Pruning
Prune the tree in fall or winter during its dormant period.
Remove dead, diseased, or weak limbs at any time during the year.
Propagating Persian Silk Tree
Silk tree is easily propagated through seed or cuttings.
Collect seeds in the fall and store them in a cool, dry place until spring.
At that point, it’s time to transplant the tree to its permanent home in your landscape.
As the tree grows, you will need to repot it into a larger pot.
Any container material will do for a Persian silk tree but verify it has drainage holes.
Water weekly because plants in containers typically need more moisture.
Cottony cushion scale are also attracted to this tree.Look into insecticidal treatments to help eliminate them.
These trees can also fall victim to fungal disease.
Keeping your tree strong by providing optimal care will help prevent fungal growth.
Check often for signs of infection such as yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
Bloom Months
Persian silk trees typically bloom in May or June.
The blooms will last several weeks perhaps into August and reappear around the same time the following year.
What Does a Persian Silk Tree’s Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Persian silk trees boast fluffy pink flowers.
Despite its invasive tendencies, the silk tree is beautiful and these flowers attract manypollinators, includinghummingbirds.
Even so, there are a few things to look out for when growing a Persian silk tree.
The foliage will begin to appear yellow and wilting, then turn brown and fall off the branches.
The branches will also begin to fall from the tree.
These trees typically live for 10 to 20 years.
It is possible to grow a silk tree in a container.
Choose a large container and fill it with loamy soil.
Give the tree plenty of sun and keep it tightly pruned to remain compact.
The ‘Summer Chocolate’ variety tends to be the best option for a container plant.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
