Native Plants

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Tuesday - June 23, 2009
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: How would chocolate mimosa tree do in Salt Lake City
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
How would the chocolate Mimosa Tree do here in Salt Lake City, zone 5.ANSWER:
That is a question that I'm afraid Mr. Smarty Plants can't answer for you other than to say we don't recommend planting Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' at all. Not only is this species not native (it originates from Asia), but it is a variety of a species that is considered invasive and is on the Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group's Least Wanted list. As a substitute we can offer some Utah native trees that have something of the look of the chocolate mimosa.Gleditsia triacanthos (honeylocust). There are thornless varieties and they are hardy to zone 4.
Cercis orbiculata (California redbud. Here is more information from the US Forest service.
Purshia mexicana (Mexican cliffrose). Here is more information from Desert USA.
Robinia neomexicana (New Mexico locust)
Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)
More Invasive Plants Questions
Comments on previous answer on non-native invasives from Raleigh NC
March 27, 2014 - https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7827
This answer is incorrect. Please have someone review it to remove the two invasive species you are encouraging people to plant by calling them nati...
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Removal of trumpet creeper in Elkview MI
April 09, 2010 - Thank you for your informative response about the trumpet creeper. As pretty as it is- it will have to go! Trees are more important.
Thanks again!
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