Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree

Summer Chocolate Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) takes everything the standard mimosa offers and adds something genuinely extraordinary — rich chocolate-burgundy foliage that starts bronze-green in spring, deepens to dark burgundy through summer, and holds that dramatic color as a backdrop for the pink pincushion blooms that arrive in mid-summer. Where standard mimosa gives you one bloom season, Summer Chocolate gives you months of continuous foliage color from the moment the leaves emerge — making it as visually interesting before it blooms as it is at peak flower. Fast-growing, fragrant, and hummingbird and butterfly attracting in Zones 6B–10.

Image credit: Star® Roses and Plants.

Chocolate-Burgundy Foliage — The Standard Mimosa, Elevated

The foliage color is what sets Summer Chocolate apart completely from standard mimosa varieties. The rich, dark chocolate-burgundy leaves emerge bronze-green in spring and deepen through the season — creating a dramatic, warm backdrop that makes the pink pincushion blooms look even more striking against it. Even without the flowers, the foliage alone earns its landscape position as one of the most visually distinctive trees available.

Pink Pincushion Blooms — Fragrant and Pollinator-Rich

When the mid-summer bloom display arrives, it’s against that rich dark foliage — pink and chocolate, warm and tropical, unlike any other flowering tree combination available. The fragrant pink blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees throughout the blooming season, and the umbrella-shaped canopy creates pleasant dappled shade underneath.

Fast-Growing and Low Maintenance

Summer Chocolate’s fast growth makes it one of the most rewarding ornamental trees for warm-climate gardens. Full sun brings out the richest foliage color and the most prolific bloom display. Once established, it requires minimal supplemental care beyond enjoying the show.

Why Gardeners Choose Summer Chocolate Mimosa

• Rich chocolate-burgundy foliage — dramatic color from spring through fall
• Pink pincushion blooms against dark foliage — a combination unlike any other flowering tree
• Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees — exceptional pollinator value
• Fast-growing — reaches its landscape presence quickly
• Low maintenance once established — minimal care for maximum impact