Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

Chocolate Persian Silk Tree

Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'

Name: Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'
Brand: GROW TROPICALS
SKU: ALBIJULICHOC19
Price: 39.99 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

£39.99

Hardy in the UKSun-loving

Pot size

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Description

Few hardy exotics turn heads quite like Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate', a sumptuous dark-leaved selection of the much-loved Persian silk tree. Where the species carries fresh green, ferny foliage, this cultivar unfurls feathery, mimosa-like leaves in deep chocolate-bronze to burgundy, giving the whole plant a smoky, almost tropical presence in the garden. From mid to late summer it is topped with powderpuff flowers in candyfloss pink, their silky stamens shimmering against the dark canopy and drawing in bees and butterflies on warm days.

It is this contrast of dusky foliage and bright bloom that makes the chocolate-leaved silk tree such a prized specimen. Grown as a spreading small tree or large shrub, it develops a graceful, flat-topped, layered canopy that casts dappled shade, perfect as a focal point on a patio border, in a gravel garden, or among other exotics.

How and where to grow

For the richest leaf colour, plant Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' in full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, ideally south or west facing. It is happy in any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil, including chalk and sandy ground, and tolerates a wide pH range. Good drainage over winter matters far more than soil richness, so lighten heavy clay with grit before planting.

Mature size around 4-6 m tall by 3-5 m wide over many years
Hardy in most of the UK (RHS H4), to roughly -10C once established
Notably drought-tolerant once its roots have settled
Deciduous, leafing out late in spring, so be patient in early summer

Hardy through most of the country, it benefits from a winter mulch over the roots while young, and any frost-nipped shoots can simply be trimmed back in spring. Whether you are searching to buy Albizia julibrissin as a statement tree or hunting for an unusual dark-foliage exotic for a sheltered corner, this is a plant that rewards a sunny position handsomely. Every specimen we send out is nursery-grown, carefully hardened and selected for strong, healthy growth, ready to establish quickly and become a lasting talking point in your garden.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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What to Expect

Seasonal by nature: what to expect

Grown outdoors, the way nature intended. Weather-tested and hardened in real UK conditions, so they thrive in your garden. A few marks on the older leaves are normal, the sign of a tough, real plant rather than a flaw.
It follows the seasons. Depending on when you order, your plant may arrive cut back, dormant or leafless. That's healthy: dormancy is the ideal time to plant.
Posted, not posed. Big leafy plants like bananas and gingers may be trimmed or gently folded to travel safely. It does the plant no harm, and it powers away again in spring.

Not sure what to expect from yours? Dormant, cut-back or weather-marked plants are all perfectly healthy and normal. Read what to expect through the seasons

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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How to care for Chocolate Persian Silk Tree

Plant me in full sun and I will stand a UK winter outdoors.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.

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About Chocolate Persian Silk Tree

Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' needs full sun and moist but well-drained soil. It is hardy to around −10°C, standing an average UK winter outdoors.

Good for

Exotic Borders Ground Cover

Hardiness

TenderVery hardy

Hardy Exotic (H4): down to around −10°C. Hardy through an average UK winter.

Hardy in most of the UK (RHS H4), tolerating roughly -10C once established. Give young plants a warm, sheltered position and a winter mulch over the root zone for the first few years, as hard frosts can scorch new growth, which usually reshoots from the base. Read moreShow less

Hardy in most of the UK (RHS H4), tolerating roughly -10C once established. Give young plants a warm, sheltered position and a winter mulch over the root zone for the first few years, as hard frosts can scorch new growth, which usually reshoots from the base.

Position

Full sunSouth-facingWest-facingSheltered

Plant in full sun in a sheltered, south or west facing spot. The richest chocolate leaf colour develops in bright light, while shade turns the foliage greener and growth becomes leggier. Read moreShow less

Plant in full sun in a sheltered, south or west facing spot. The richest chocolate leaf colour develops in bright light, while shade turns the foliage greener and growth becomes leggier.

Soil

ChalkLoamSandMoist but well-drainedAcid pHAlkaline pHNeutral pH

Thrives in any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil, including chalk, loam and sandy ground, across acid, neutral and alkaline pH. It dislikes cold, waterlogged sites over winter, so improve heavy clay with grit before planting. Read moreShow less

Thrives in any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil, including chalk, loam and sandy ground, across acid, neutral and alkaline pH. It dislikes cold, waterlogged sites over winter, so improve heavy clay with grit before planting.

Watering

Water regularly through the first one to two growing seasons to settle the roots, especially in dry spells. Once established it is notably drought-tolerant and needs little supplementary watering. Read moreShow less

Water regularly through the first one to two growing seasons to settle the roots, especially in dry spells. Once established it is notably drought-tolerant and needs little supplementary watering.

Mature size

Height4-6 m

Spread3-5 m

Reaches full size in 10-20 years

Growth habit

Spreading/groundcover

Flowering

JFMAMJJASOND

Jul-Sep · Pink

Seasonal colour

SpringSummerAutumnWinterFlowerFoliageBerriesStem

Foliage

Deciduous

Scent

Lightly fragrant flowers

Pruning

Needs very little pruning. In late winter remove only dead, damaged or crossing branches to keep an open framework; it resents hard cutting, so avoid going into old wood.

Toxicity

Seeds and pods may cause mild stomach upset if eaten; generally considered low risk but best kept away from young children and pets

Native range

Garden origin (species native to Asia, from Iran east to China and Korea)

Family

Fabaceae

Also known as

Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'

Genus

Albizia

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' hardy in the UK?

Yes, it is hardy across most of the UK (RHS H4) and copes with around -10C once settled in. Choose a warm, sheltered spot and mulch the roots for the first few winters, as late frosts can nip soft new growth, which then reshoots.

Where is the best place to plant it?

Give it full sun in a sheltered position, ideally south or west facing and out of cold, drying winds. Strong light is what brings out the deep chocolate leaf colour, so avoid shade if you want the darkest foliage.

How big does the chocolate silk tree get?

Grown in the open ground it makes a spreading small tree or large shrub of roughly 4-6 m tall and 3-5 m wide over time, with an elegant flat-topped, vase-shaped canopy. It can be kept smaller with pruning.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

It is deciduous, dropping its ferny leaves in autumn and leafing out late in spring, often not until early summer, so do not assume it has died over winter. The bare, layered branch structure is attractive in its own right.

Does it need pruning?

Little routine pruning is needed. Remove any frost-damaged, dead or crossing stems in spring once growth resumes, and lightly shape if required. Pruning hard also encourages larger, more richly coloured leaves.

Does my plant come with a pot?

Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.

How big will my plant be when it arrives?

Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.

What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?

There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.

What should I do when my plant arrives?

First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.

Will my plant survive being shipped?

Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.

Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

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Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'

£39.99