(Mimosa, Silk tree) A large shrub or small tree, Albizia
julibrissin is native to Iran to Japan. It is a fast-growing
plant whose seedlings can become invasive. It can be seen
growing in the wild in the southeastern U.S. and California in
waste places, fields, and along roads. However, its bipinnate,
ferny leaves and fluffy pink flowerheads that cover the tree in
summer make it a garden-worthy plant, as do the fragrance
emitted by the flowers, which attract bees. Seed pods that
resemble flat beans follow the flowers and persist into winter.
Still, care should be used so that seeds from garden plants
can't escape into the wild.