7 Hardy Albizia to Plant Almost Anywhere in France

Albizia julibrissin Evey's Pride, a hardy silk tree down to -15 degrees.

With its finely dissected foliage turning purple and its silky flowers in a very dark pink, almost red, the Albizia julibrissin ‘Evey’s Pride’ is a very attractive tree. Hardy down to –15 degrees, it is also easy to grow in many regions of France. It withstands both drought and frost. It reaches a height of 4 metres at ripeness and offers an elegant habit, reminiscent of a parasol. Perfect for providing shade in summer. It blooms from July to September.

The Albizia julibrissin ‘Evey’s Pride’ is often planted as a specimen on a lawn as it is a beautiful tree in itself. If you wish to pair it with other trees, you can play with the combination of green and purple foliage by planting alongside it another Albizia with green leaves, such as the Albizia julibrissin ‘Ombrella’, which also has the advantage of being hardy.

Albizia julibrissin 'Rouge Selection', hardy down to -15 degrees

Another hardy Albizia down to -15° degrees, the Albizia julibrissin ‘Rouge Selection’ is larger in size. It can reach 7 metres in height at ripeness and produces large pom-poms of very dark pink, almost red, flowers from July to September. Its leaves are medium green and deciduous, like those of all Albizia.

In a garden, you can pair it with other bushes that have flowers in different colours, such as the Albizia julibrissin ‘Rouge de Tuilière’ or the white oleander Nerium Oleander.

Albizia julibrissin 'Rouge de Tuilière', hardy down to -15 degrees

Albizia julibrissin ‘Rouge de Tuilière’ produces intensely pink, almost red flowers in summer, from July to September. They bloom on fine, medium green foliage and emit a light fragrance. It can grow up to a height of 8 metres, providing generous shade under its umbrella-shaped habit. Hardy down to -15 degrees, it can be grown in many regions of France.

To play with colour contrast, you can pair it with a Cape acacia or Paraserianthes lophantha. In addition to producing yellow, pom-pom shaped flowers, this tree has airy leaves, similar to those of the Albizia.

Albizia julibrissin 'Shidare', hardy down to -15 degrees

Smaller, yet just as hardy down to -15 degrees, the Albizia julibrissin ‘Shidare’ is a tree that can reach a height of 3.5 metres at ripeness. Its soft green foliage and lightly scented pink flowers adorn it gracefully. It blooms in August.

With its small size, it is perfect for a small garden. To create a lovely harmony and see life in pink, pair it with flowers in similar pink tones, such as the Gaura lindheimeri ‘Lollipop Pink’ and the oleander Nerium oleander.

Albizia julibrissin ‘Chocolate Fountain’, hardy down to -15 degrees

Albizia julibrissin ‘Chocolate Fountain’ is unique with its weeping habit and chocolate-toned foliage. Also hardy down to -15° degrees, it is a low-maintenance tree. This new American variety offers a soft pink flowering from July to September that contrasts with its dark leaves, bronze-green in spring and then purple in summer. The tree can reach a height of 5 metres.

In a garden, Albizia julibrissin ‘Chocolate Fountain’ creates an exotic atmosphere, which can be enhanced by pairing it with purple castor oil plants like Common Castor Bean ‘Honolulu’ and a Chinese Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei. You will immediately feel transported.

Albizia julibrissin ‘Rosea’, hardy down to –15 degrees

With its green foliage adorned with silky tufts of deep pink in July and August, the Albizia julibrissin ‘Rosea’ makes a statement in any garden. It has also been awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. Another good news is that it can also be grown in regions where temperatures do not drop below –15 degrees, provided it is planted in full sun, in well-drained soil, and sheltered from cold winds. It can grow up to a height of 6 metres.

If you wish to pair it with other plants, you might try creating a Mediterranean garden atmosphere by planting lavenders and santolines nearby.

Albizia 'Tropical Dream', a hardy silk tree down to -20 degrees

Albizzia ‘Tropical Dream’ is one of the hardiest silk trees, as it withstands frosts down to -20 degrees. This means it can be planted in almost all regions of France. Its spreading crown reaches up to 5 metres high and its medium green foliage hosts slightly fragrant flowers of a beautiful bright pink from July to September.

To enhance its beautiful colours, consider pairing it with a crepe myrtle with lavender flowers like Lagerstroemia indica ‘Black Diamond Lavender Lace’.

For further reading

• Discover our complete collection of Albizia.
• To deepen your knowledge of plants’ frost resistance, you can also read our articles: Understanding plant hardiness and How to determine a plant’s hardiness?