Tammy Cooper stands in the midst of her blooming mimosa tree Monday, June 30.

Text and Photos
By Elizabeth Hershberger
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Tammy Cooper’s mimosa tree is more gorgeous with blooms than it has ever been this summer.

“It has never bloomed this heavily — it’s a southern tropical. They’re not even supposed to survive north of central Kentucky,” said Cooper.

Mimosa trees are also known as Persian silk trees or pink silk trees. They are native to southwestern and eastern Asia.

Somehow, Cooper’s mimosa tree has managed to survive harsh conditions here in Indiana. One year Cooper and her husband, Charlie, went on a working vacation to his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. As she and her husband admired the trees blooming there, Cooper decided they had to try to grow one at their home in Warsaw.

Cooper told InkFreeNews the mimosa tree is taller than it has ever been.

After contacting four different suppliers and signing a waiver, Cooper received her tree. The tree has had its share of troubles since it arrived. 

“It has died completely down to the ground … and the root ball has survived,” Cooper said. She said this has happened at least three different times. Each time, the tree has grown back and bloomed again.

“It’s one of my all-time favorites,” Cooper shared. The mimosa tree reminds her of memories made with Charlie, even more dear since she is a widow.

The mimosa tree, lightly fragrant, attracts bees and hummingbirds for Cooper and her friends and family to enjoy. As a self-proclaimed nature lover, Cooper delights in having wildlife nearby and loves the giant spread of flowers and the ones who enjoy it with her, human, animal or insect.