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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.

Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.

Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens and is ideal for feature planting in both residential and commercial landscapes.

From $349.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.

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.

From $344.95

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
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
Cornus 'Southern Cross' white flowers with lush, green foliage.
Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross'

Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross' features large and showy, white flowers which adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. It...

From$340.69
acer-red-sunset-2
Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
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Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
callistemon-red-alert-4
Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$27.53
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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$17.95
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
acer-rubrum-1
Acer rubrum

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a magnificent deciduous tree renowned for its outstanding autumn colour and graceful growth habit. The fresh green foliage...

From$349.95
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
malus-red-jade-1
Malus 'Red Jade'

Malus 'Red Jade' is a graceful weeping crabapple tree admired for its cascading branches, masses of white spring blossom, colourful red ornamental...

From$387.55
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Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' pink flowers and lush, green foliage.
Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea'

Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' (Silk Tree) is a stunning deciduous tree valued for its graceful spreading canopy, fern like foliage, and masses of...

From$344.95
A cluster of Quercus rubra specimen trees with red foliage.
Quercus rubra

Quercus rubra, commonly known as the Northern Red Oak tree, is a deciduous tree that features very colourful and lush foliage. The foliage emerges...

From$270.40
Alnus rubra (Red Alder) specimen tree.
Alnus rubra

Alnus rubra (Red Alder) is a strong growing deciduous tree valued for its upright form and ability to thrive in a wide range of New Zealand...

From$259.75
gazania-new-day-red-stripe--1
Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe'

Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe' is a colourful perennial valued for its distinctive striped flowers, compact habit, and long flowering performance. The...

From$20.63
Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.
Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The...

From$20.01
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
salvia-red-2
Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
azalea-red-wings-
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$15.95
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Camellia 'Pure Silk'

Camellia 'Pure Silk' is an elegant evergreen shrub known for its pristine white blooms that bring a clean and refined look to New Zealand gardens...

From$27.95
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Albizia, and Callistemon, or related Categories - Grasses, Evergreen Shrubs, and Deciduous Trees.

Search red silk tree

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:

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Our garden favourites Rose 'Flower Carpet White' and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Acer platanoides 'Globosum', Picea pungens Glauca, and Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'.
–The Plant Company

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