Update on My Powderpuff Mimosa Yard

Since so many people are asking questions about alternatives to lawns, I wanted to provide an update on the growth of Powderpuff Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) in my own home lawn.  Almost a year ago, I made a video about using this native plant as a companion plant in an existing North Florida lawn.  You may view the video if you missed it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NxKdN74jVs. Almost a year later, I am very happy with the spread of this plant through the lawn area and the beautiful blooms that offer interest in the lawn.

If you are considering this plant as a lawn companion in North Florida, realize that the foliage will often die back with a freeze. I did have a couple of small bare spots through winter. I could see the running stems of the mimosa but it did not have any foliage.  That is one of the reasons why the plant is best as a companion plant instead of the main lawn feature in North Florida.  You must also be considerate of the neighbor’s property if your planting area is on the border.  Talk to your neighbor first about the strong possibility of the mimosa growing across a property line and if that is ok.  My lawn area is bordered by many feet of mulched beds so that is not an issue for my planting.  Like I mentioned in the video, I do have to edge the mimosa at the mulch beds where I don’t want it growing into other plants and groundcovers.

One last practice that I do have with the mimosa is hand pulling any weeds that I don’t want growing in it.  I have a few rushes and some of the annual chamberbitter that will pop up.  Some of the traditional weed management techniques that are acceptable for turfgrasses, will not be appropriate for mimosa.  Consider carefully if you will be able to tolerate a few weeds or if you can commit to hand pulling a few here and there.

If you determine that your lawn or landscape is suitable for Powerpuff mimosa, you may look for plants at a native nursery. We have a couple of good native nursery options in the western Panhandle and you may be able to find plants throughout North Florida.  There is also seed available through wildflower cooperatives.  If you have a friend with some, you can always start a tray from a few cuttings too.