NEWBIE - Please Identify (Albizia?) Plant for MIL in TX

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alamode Maple Shade, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 08, 2007

Last year, I was in Texas visiting my MIL. She's located just over the bridge of South Padre Island and had this plant growing in a pot on her stoop. It's a woody stemmed plant that is about 15in high and across.

I'm a Jersey girl and thought it looked a bit like our mimosa trees. Perhaps Albizia lebbeck? This particular plant was purchased in a mixed 15in pot by my MIL's beloved sister in TX - right before she succumbed to cancer in 2001. My MIL would LOVE to know how to properly care for her plant and would really like to share it with others.

My MIL recently sent me a few seed pods. She was hoping that I could start a plant as well, but every thing I've read online (if this is A.lebbeck) states that it cannot tolerate frost and I KNOW mimosa trees (A.julibrissin) are considered nuisance plants to many in this area. I'm hoping that someone here might recognize this plant and be able to identify it with certainty.

I really appreciate your time. This is my first visit to Dave's, but I have the feeling it won't be my last! Wow!

Jennifer in NJ

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Post #3832178
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Aug 08, 2007

It's a Calliandra--I think C. emarginata and C. haematocephala are the ones that have leaves that look like yours, but there could be others too. Definitely not an Albizia though, the leaves are way off. None of the Calliandras are going to be hardy in your area, but if you can bring it in for the winter you could try it.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=calliandra&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Post #3832213
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alamode Maple Shade, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 08, 2007

Thanks so much, ecrane3! That's it!!! It's the same family as my lovely mimosas, too! I can tell you that you just made a 60yo woman cry tears of joy. She's been asking folks for a few years to no avail. I come here and get an answer in a matter of minutes. Thank you (hug).

I know I'm going to LOVE this site. If only we hubby would find us our forever home. I get SO attached to my gardens. LOL...I'm loving the "drool worthy" pics.

Thank you, again.
Jennifer

Post #3832540
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nickeler Catonsville, MD(Zone 7a) Aug 10, 2007

FYI for the future there is also a plant id forum available to all. Not that this forum isn't just as equally helpful. I stumbled on this site a few weeks ago and now I am hooked logging in every single night! I hope you have just as much fun too.
Welcome

Post #3838621
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