Mimosa trees, with their delicate leaves and stunning pink blooms, make for gorgeous photographic subjects. If you want to capture these trees in all their glory, read on for tips on getting the perfect mimosa tree pictures.
Mimosa trees, also known as silk trees, are fast-growing trees native to Asia that can grow up to 50 feet tall. They have fern-like leaves that close up at night or when it rains. Their name comes from their flowers, which look like pink silk threads. Mimosa blooms appear in summer in small, puffy clusters.
While beautiful, mimosa trees do have some downsides. They tend to be messy, short-lived trees that can spread aggressively. But their visual appeal makes them popular ornamental trees.
Tips for Photographing Mimosa Trees
Look for Peak Bloom Time
Mimosa trees bloom from May to July, with the peak time varying based on your location. Scout out trees in your area to see when they are at their showiest. Blooms only last about two weeks on each tree so timing is important. Early morning is often best for lighting.
Capture the Flowers Up Close
Get up close with a macro lens or macro mode to highlight the delicate mimosa blooms. Shoot against a blurred background to really make them pop. Try different angles – straight on from below backlit, etc. – and fill the frame with flowers.
Show the Entire Tree
Wide shots of the full mimosa tree in bloom also make striking photos. Use a wide angle lens and compose carefully to showcase the size and shape of the tree and its blanket of pink blooms. Low angles can really emphasize the tree’s grandeur.
Try Black and White
Mimosa tree flowers lend themselves beautifully to black and white photography. The contrast showcases the intricate detail of the flowers. And it gives photos an artful timeless feel.
Work the Light
Experiment with shooting in different lighting. Front lighting illuminates the blooms, backlighting creates rim light effects, and side lighting can cast interesting shadows. Golden hour is perfect for mimosa photos, bathing the pink hues in warm light.
Use Leading Lines
Incorporate leading lines like fences, trails, railings, etc. to draw the eye through the frame. Position them to point toward or frame the mimosa tree. Leading lines add depth, interest, and perspective.
Play with Perspective
Get down low or up high for an unusual point of view. Shoot upward through the branches and blooms or position the flowers against the sky. Crooked angles can create visual intrigue. Dramatic perspectives showcase mimosas in a unique way.
Add a Focal Point
Consider adding a focal point beyond just the tree and flowers. This could be a bench, a person/model enjoying the tree, a bridge or gazebo, or another compositional element that complements the mimosa.
Capture Mimosa Details
Zoom in on the delicate fronds of a mimosa leaf or the abstract patterns of shadows on the tree’s bark. Get creative with close-up details and textures to showcase these trees in a new light.
Focus on Color and Shape
Fill the frame with mimosa blooms and leaves to create colorful abstract images focused purely on color and shape. Blurred backgrounds really accentuate the pink hues.
Mimosa Tree Photo Inspiration
Looking at other mimosa tree photos can provide inspiration for your own shots. Notice what angles, perspectives, lighting, and compositions work well. Here are some beautiful examples:
[Insert a few example mimosa tree photos sourced from stock image sites]
Post-Processing Tips
Use editing software to really make your mimosa photos pop. Try slight brightening, contrast boosts, and saturation increases to accentuate the pinks. For black and whites, play with tonal contrast. Cropping in tighter or straightening a tilted angle can strengthen the composition.
Photographing the striking blossoms and delicate leaves of mimosa trees makes for wonderful summer photography projects. Follow these tips on finding peak bloom, lighting, composition, and more to capture gorgeous mimosa tree images. Let the beauty of these trees inspire your creativity. Then enjoy sharing your vision of mimosas with others.
Is a Mimosa tree a good tree? What are Mimosa trees good for?
Fast-growing, shade producing and colorful all growing season. Mimosa trees have gorgeous pink powderpuff blossoms and tropical bipinnately compound and odd-pinnately compound foliage that gives these trees fine-textured fern-like leaves that are easy to clean up. These are incredible flowering ornamental trees for a wide range of growing zones and lend a tropical, Mediterranean look to your landscape.
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
The Mimosa Tree
FAQ
Are mimosa trees good to have in your yard?
Mimosa trees, also known as silk trees, are beautiful and fragrant, but they are also considered invasive species in many areas.
Why is mimosa a problem?
Their adaptability to various soil types and ability to thrive in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and riverbanks, make them particularly problematic. Once established, mimosa trees form dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation, reducing biodiversity.
What was so special about the mimosa tree?
Frequently known as the “silk tree”, the stamens of the flower are reminiscent of silk threads. The Mimosa Tree has unique palmate leaves, which appear as tiny fronds similar to the leaves of palm trees or fern plants. Texture is a large aspect of why the Mimosa Tree has gained popularity throughout the United States.
What time of the year does a mimosa tree bloom?
Originally from China, the mimosa tree has been a popular landscape tree in Florida for many years because of its fragrant pink flowers and feathery, fern-like foliage. The delicate, puffy flowers bloom from late April to early July.