If my husband finds out what I just did he will not understand and I will NEVER hear the end of it. I recently stumbled upon the Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ and it was love at first sight I had to have one! I searched around a bit and was pretty bummed out on the prices. I asked around at a few local places and all that can be done is order from Monrovia(expensive).

I just decided life is short and I am going for it Then comes the guilt. Uh oh.......
It should arrive on the 15th. I am soooo excited I am beside myself but I can not share that excitement with my husband so I am sharing here.

Anyone else splurge on something that you really wanted but probably should not have I need company on my guilt trip. I feel like I am on a island all alone with my pretty tree.

Plan a few errands for him on the day you expect it to arrive. Dispose of the box so he doesn't see it. When he spots the plant you can tell him you've had it quite awhile and you're surprised he didn't notice it sooner...then laugh.

Where did that come from?

someone sent it to me

The day before it is supposed to arrive, do romantic evening at home with a candle-lit dinner, serving his favorite dish, and wear your sexiest outfit.

with all of the above. Do all you can to distract him. Most of us have been there. You're not alone on your island, we're here. Then again, he may not notice it at all and life goes go. No need to feel guilty. Don't forget to post photos when you get it.

This is a Mimosa with what colored flowers? Found it - never mind.
Will it do ok planting this time of year in your zone? Hmmmmmmm
Any idea who Patented it?
Who did you end up buying it from?

BTW - Don't tell him. Heh Follow Arlene's excellent advice! That IS what I would do.

I totally agree. And yes - what is there to feel guilty about? Did you spend money on this that would have gone for food for him? No? Then doan worry - be happy

BTW - My seeds that cost > 2 $ per seed arrived and so far I did not tell my DW. And no - I did not tell her that I ordered them. Are you kidding me?

Food, sexy outfit, playing dumb, and all the above...... Trust me, I am not above or below those tactics.
I had just pressed commit to buy on ebay when he walked through the door complaining about property taxes. Not a good time to say well honey its alright I just spent way to much money on a tiny tree with purple leaves. Yep, that would have gone well.

David, I read it originated in Japan in 1990. I have no idea why they are still so freaking expensive and somewhat difficult to find. I will keep it indoors until spring and then plant. I thought about ordering seeds but they say you only have a 5-15% chance of them coming out chocolate, most being the common green

It does give me something to day dream about. I bought it thinking I had the perfect spot for it. The more I think about it though there is all kinds of spots for it. The loose lacy foliage really does not provide much shade so it can be mixed almost anywhere in my front garden.

Thanks for coming and hanging out on my island everyone

You could always tell him you were sure you'd win Powerball!

It is beautiful! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Albizi...

Audrey, Audrey....you know that nice, easy going guy I married? Right after we came back from Hawaii, I signed a contract on a lakehouse while he was somewhere in Central America. Fortunately, I signed it "contingent on husband's approval." We still have it. It had rabbit hutches, chicken coop, a bunkhouse, a pigeon coop, a huge garden and a smokehouse. We kept the smokehouse and the bunkhouse. Everything else, we tore down and hauled off. The deer ate the garden, except for the okra.

Just show your husband this post and say, "Honey, it could be worse, you know."

pirl said:You could always tell him you were sure you'd win Powerball!

It is beautiful! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Albizi...

Luck is never a lady who befriends me and I never gamble because of that. No lottery and he knows that. I like to spend wisely on things like pretty plants

O.k. Pirl you busted me. That is the seller I bought from. I feel like I'm gonna be grounded Darn PayPal. They just make it so easy.

Bubbles said:Audrey, Audrey....you know that nice, easy going guy I married? Right after we came back from Hawaii, I signed a contract on a lakehouse while he was somewhere in Central America. Fortunately, I signed it "contingent on husband's approval." We still have it. It had rabbit hutches, chicken coop, a bunkhouse, a pigeon coop, a huge garden and a smokehouse. We kept the smokehouse and the bunkhouse. Everything else, we tore down and hauled off. The deer ate the garden, except for the okra.

Just show your husband this post and say, "Honey, it could be worse, you know."

Sandi, I just can not imagine your husband being mad at anything. But, ya I did not buy a house or another horse.................. oh wait. I got it. I will preface by saying don't be mad. Then "I bought a horse".......... big explosion.............."just kidding babe just a small tree" Manipulative, well maybe

Hey @Bubbles is that a confederate rose bloom from the cuttings you had this spring in your avatar? If so I am ubber impressed. Mine you gave me is still under a foot. It has been pretty neglected though. I have not decided where to plant it yet.

Great minds think alike!

$66 for an 8 -12 inch tree? OMG I wonder why it is grafted and what is the root stock. Likely one of the reasons it is so expensive. Plus he is paying the patent holder fee.

Ouch. Even if you could find seeds, it is highly doubtful they would be true.

Did they suggest you winter this over indoors?

From the offer, I find this a bit troublesome:

"This is the time to buy to ship. Best time to ship and plant."

Depending on WHERE this is to be shipped, this is BS.

@Esperanza just put the cutting in water. It will root in water. In March, you can plant it in a pot or in ground.

It is not a cutting. It is a dormant plant 8 - 12 inches tall and it is grafted.

Sandi, the C.R. is rooted. I got it from you this spring remember? It is in a twelve inch pot. That is why I was wondering if your avatar was a bloom from those double blooming cuttings.

David, we were talking about a different plant than the mimosa. No, they did not suggest to over winter it indoors but a decision I made. I agree about "This is the time to buy to ship. Best time to ship and plant." being B.S. however I wanted it that bad. The root stalk I am assuming is the regular mimosa, so I do not want to risk the top freezing back this winter and being left with a really over priced root ball of the standard mimosa

See? Now do you understand the thread title? I feel guilty and silly for spending so much on a tiny grafted tree. At the same time I am pretty darned excited. Does this make you feel better about your two dollar seeds?

I think the Confed. Rose is a double. I don't think any are single, but not sure. The rain we had resurrected one little plant under the oak out back and it took off! I hope it's the deep pink one I thought I'd lost.
DH just turned on the heater in the hoophouse off the gameroom. As much as I wanted it on, I think I'll be up a few times to check on it. We usually stay a couple of degrees warmer than predicted.

Esperanza said: Does this make you feel better about your two dollar seeds?

Yes. When DW says just exactly WT? did you do this, I can say Well I was not as extravagent as a lady I know on ATP and explain you spending $66 for an 8 inch tree that looks dead. LMAO.

I AM just funnin with you BTW.

Keep in mind, the Mimosa can get quite large fairly quickly. We have (a Wilson Mimosa) one started in the kitchen in Feb 2011 and in a year it was ~ 3 ' tall and 3 " in diameter. It is now about 15 - 18 feet tall, 20 + feet wide and the trunk is ~ 8 inches in diameter.