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Albezia summer chocolate placement

Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86
in Garden design
Please can I have your help with where to place my new Albezia. The label has no information whatsoever about position, soil, height etc! Just that it has burgundy leaves. I think it loves the sun ☀️ but that’s all I know. Many thanks

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  • Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86

  • Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It is a tree and will want to get very big but it's also not that frost hardy. -5C at best.   Our winters here are milder than the UK and our albizia is always one of the last into leaf.   They are not fussy about the kind of soil but it does have to be well drained and you'll need to provide shelter from strong winds and heavy frosts.

    This link to info on the RHS website will help - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/258154/Albizia-julibrissin-Summer-Chocolate-(PBR)/Details 


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86
    Thanks Obelixx. Do you know if I could put it in a large pot And prune it to keep it a small tree? I’ve read the website but it doesn’t say anything on there about that. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I don't think that would work unless you do a proper Bonsai job on it.   It could start in a pot, which would make it easier to take into shelter for winter for a few years, but will need regular potting on, good quality compost, feeding and watering.

    Maybe best to see if you can get the suppliers to swap it for a plant more suited to your space and conditions.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86
    Thank you Obelixx. I might have to do that :(
  • nav 544nav 544 Posts: 22
    FWIW, I’ve got an albizia that I’ve grown in a 50cm pot over the last 4 years, it’s flowered for the last three and is not growing at a huge rate. I think it’s certainly feasible to grow in a pot. I do move it to a sheltered covered corner over winter and give it a trim in December. Attached a pic from today.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Yes it's commonly grown in pots isn't it, then they can be moved to a sheltered spot if the weather is extremely cold. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have a green albizia here, spread about 10 metres and height about 5.  Our neighbours have the chocolate version.  Similar size.   There will come a point where it is so stressed in a pot it dies or needs to be potted on to the point where it can't be moved any more.   

    There are other plants, more suited to UK gardens, which will give purple foliage and be naturally smaller so easier to protect with fleece if needed in winter.  Right plant, right place is a basic gardening principle which works well for those of us not kitted out with huge conservatories and palm houses like Kew.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Mousey3Mousey3 Posts: 86
    Thanks all for your comments. Inspired by Nav44 I’m going to give it a go in a large pot and bring it indoors over the winter. It makes me wonder why these plants are sold in this country - at least a clear label on it to say it’s not hardy and it’s a tree. I thought it was a small bush when I first saw it. Thanks all!!!
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