When Not to Have a Mimosa
Who doesn't love a good mimosa? I mean, Sunday brunch just isn't the same without one. Unless we're talking about the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin), sometimes called the silk tree. These imported beauties can be found all over Florida, and unlike your brunch mimosa, should definitely be skipped.
The mimosa tree originated in China and was introduced to the US in the mid-1700s. It's been cultivated since then for its showy flours and leaves (and the scent is heavenly). It's still a popular tree for all those reasons, and Florida still allows its sale despite being a Class I invasive. Yes, it does support insect pollinators and hummingbirds, but the threat the tree poses is more significant than the food it provides.
Mimosa trees produce thousands of seeds and propagate readily in Florida, adapting to any type of soil you might have. They quickly outcompete native species, particularly in open areas and forest edges, competing for resources with and blocking light from native species. It's also problematic along rivers and other waterways, as the seeds float and collect along banks, where they germinate.
If you have a mimosa tree, cut it down. They can and will regrow, so watch it carefully and remove any new sprouts. Keep an eye out for seedlings on your property and, if possible, remove and destroy seedpods from trees before cutting them down. While you can still purchase these invasive trees from nurseries throughout Florida, do not plant them.
But what can you plant that offers similar beauty and other benefits to the mimosa tree? There are plenty of native alternatives, including:
- Sweetgum (if you have the room - these are large trees when mature)
- Fringe tree
- American holly (many native hollies will work)
- Redbud (has spreading branches similar to the mimosa tree)
- Serviceberry (also has nicely spreading branches)
- Beautyberry (if you're looking for a shrubbier specimen)
- Flowering dogwood
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