Silk Tree

silk treeexoticMediterranean gardenbutterfly treefine foliage

The Silk Tree is an exotic presence with a broad, umbrella-shaped crown and finely divided, fern-like foliage. From June to August, striking, fluffy pink flowers appear that look like silken tassels. The tree brings a Mediterranean atmosphere to the garden and attracts butterflies and bees. The leaves fold together at dusk.

See in your garden

Characteristics

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 500–1200 cm
Spread: 500–1000 cm
Hardiness zone: 6–9
Family: Fabaceae
Evergreen: No
Flower colors: pink
Wildlife value: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Bloom period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in a sheltered, warm spot in well-drained soil. Silk Tree tolerates drought and poor soils but is sensitive to severe frost. Protect young trees during their first winters with fleece. Once established, the tree is surprisingly self-sufficient.

Pruning tips

Prune as little as possible. Remove dead wood and any frost-damaged branches in late spring. The natural umbrella-shaped crown looks best when the tree is allowed to grow freely.

Good companions

Pink flowers of the Judas tree directly on bare branches in spring

Trees

Cercis siliquastrum

Judas Tree

The Judas tree is a spectacular small tree that bears bright pink flowers directly on the bare branches and even the trunk in April and May — a rare phenomenon called cauliflory. After flowering, heart-shaped blue-green leaves appear, giving the tree a Mediterranean character. The Judas tree slowly develops into a graceful, multi-stemmed specimen.

Full sunLow400–800 cm

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlight

Shrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm

Lavender-blue flower plumes of Russian Sage in a sunny garden

Perennials

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Russian Sage

Russian Sage is a graceful sub-shrub with silvery-grey aromatic foliage and airy lavender-blue flower plumes from July to September. The plant can reach 150 cm and gives borders a hazy, ethereal quality. Russian Sage is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on poor, dry soil.

Full sunLow90–150 cm