Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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red silk tree

The red silk tree is a stunning ornamental specimen beloved for its exotic appearance, feathery foliage, and striking blooms. If you’re searching for a vibrant addition to your New Zealand garden, the red silk tree is sure to make a lasting impression. With its distinctive pinkish-red powderpuff flowers and delicate fern-like leaves, this tree brings tropical elegance to a variety of landscapes. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes the red silk tree such a popular choice, how to care for it, and recommend companion plants to create a show-stopping garden display.

Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is mid-green, and the sensitive leaflets close up at night or when touched. The foliage is adorned with fluffy, rose-red flowers from summer through autumn, as it reaches 6 m in height and 4 m in width. Albizia 'Red Silk' is commonly planted as a specimen in medium to large-sized gardens, where it serves as a backdrop for smaller plants, is used in avenue plantings, or is planted to provide shade around the barbecue and other outdoor living areas.

Buy Albizia 'Red Silk'

From $306.09

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 6.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is red and ages to a dark green with red-purple undertones, resulting in a multi-coloured plant. The foliage is complemented with clusters of showy, white flowers in spring as it grows to 50 cm tall and 70 cm wide. Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red is commonly included in mixed plantings or borders, maintained in a container, planted around outdoor living areas such as pools, or used anywhere vibrant colour is desired.

Buy Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

From $25.58

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 50 cm

Spread: 70 cm

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock

What Is the Red Silk Tree?

Often referred to as Albizia julibrissin, the red silk tree stands out for its unique, silky flowers that attract birds and pollinators throughout the summer. In New Zealand, the Albizia 'Red Silk' selection offers brilliant reddish-pink blooms and a graceful, spreading canopy. Its fast growth and light, airy silhouette make it ideal for urban and country gardens alike, offering dappled shade and year-round visual interest.

Red Silk Tree Features and Growing Conditions

The red silk tree is a deciduous tree, dropping its leaves in autumn to reveal an elegant structure through the winter months. Here are some key features and growing tips:

Height and Spread: Mature trees can reach 6–10 metres tall, creating a wide canopy
Position: Prefers a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil
Foliage: Fine, fern-like green leaves that add texture and softness
Flowers: Profuse, powderpuff blooms in striking shades of red and pink from late spring into summer
Tolerance: Moderately drought-hardy once established and resistant to most common pests

With a little regular watering and an annual mulch, your red silk tree will become a garden highlight in just a few years.

Companion Plants for the Red Silk Tree

Pairing your red silk tree with the right companions can truly elevate your garden’s colour palette and seasonal impact. Consider the glossy crimson-tinged leaves of Photinia Super Red (Red Robin) for a bold evergreen backdrop, or add a splash of drama with Magnolia Red As Red (Red As Red Magnolia), which produces showy red blooms in early spring.

For something unique, Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red offers year-round interest with vibrant red new growth and curling foliage. Meanwhile, Acer Autumn Red (Acer rubrum Autumn Red) delivers an outstanding autumn display, complementing the red silk tree’s summer colour with brilliant scarlet foliage in the cooler months.

Planting and Garden Design Tips

When planting your red silk tree, allow enough space for its canopy to spread. It works beautifully as a lawn specimen, or as part of a layered planting with other favoured trees and shrubs for maximum visual impact. For year-round interest, incorporate a variety of leaf textures and seasonal colours, ensuring each plant enhances the beauty of the others.

Why Choose the Red Silk Tree for Your Garden?

The red silk tree is perfect for New Zealand gardens seeking an eye-catching, low-maintenance focal point. Its resilience, ornamental value, and ability to attract wildlife make it a valuable addition to both urban and rural landscapes. Combine the red silk tree with other superior varieties such as Albizia 'Red Silk' or bold accent plants like Acer Autumn Red (Acer rubrum Autumn Red) to create your own vibrant oasis.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.