Hooray, John's Silk Tree has finally decided to flower here in the gardens at Struan Farm!
Also called "Persian Silk Tree," Albizia julibrissin is native to southwestern and eastern Asia. It was named after an Italian nobleman, Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe in the 18th century.
With such a glorious heritage this little tree clearly is a battler. She gets buffeted by winds and has lost several limbs. At one point John wondered if this were the wrong location for this variety of tree, while I have wondered if she needed a particular type of fertiliser to flower, or if perhaps there were male and female trees.
But she has hung in there, rewarding us for looking after her with her first summer flowers.
I suspect the king fishers, who love to sit on her branches, have encouraged her as well with their trills. We all play a part here at Struan Farm.
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