Here in the Sonoran Desert, velvet-pod mimosa blooms in the summer after the start of the summer monsoon rains in July with masses of fluffy, pink flowers that are incredibly beautiful when in full bloom.

They have cylindrical flower spikes that look like bottle brushes. Their usually pink flowers can vary in color, even on the same plant, from pinkish white to deep magenta. The flowers are followed by velvety bean pods.

This winter deciduous small to medium sized shrub will grow 3’ to 6’ tall and as wide. It is abundant and common from 2500 to 6500 feet, and occurs north into New Mexico and Arizona and south to Mexico. Numerous short, widely divergent, irregular but densely prickly branches bear delicately divided leaves and extremely showy, fragrant, pinkish-purple cylindrical flower spikes.  Velvet-pod mimosa tolerates extreme drought and reflected heat, and has ornamental possibilities as a handsome accent plant. Flowers attract a variety of butterflies and the seeds are relished by quail.