Overview

Tamarix is a spreading branched shrubs in the genus Tamarix, part of the Tamaricaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Tamarix grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden and low maintenance. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Angola, Assam, Baleares, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, Cape Verde, Chad, China North-Central, China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Greece, Gulf States, India, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mali, Manchuria, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Qinghai, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South European Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Western Sahara, Xinjiang and Yemen.

About

Tamarix is a spreading, branched shrub with fine, grey-green foliage and a deciduous habit. It favours full sun and produces clusters of pink to white flowers from May to August. The plant tolerates a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — provided they are well drained. Classified H5, it is hardy in most UK gardens and suits exposed coastal situations as well as sheltered sites.

About the genus

The genus Tamarix is composed of about 50–60 species of flowering plants in the family Tamaricaceae, native to drier areas of Eurasia and Africa. The generic name originated in Latin and may refer to the Tamaris River in Hispania Tarraconensis (Spain).

Wikipedia contributors, "Tamarix", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Tamarix

In the garden

Tamarix is a genus of spreading, branched shrubs native across regions from the Mediterranean to Central and East Asia and North Africa. In the garden it is most notable for its finely textured, grey-green leaves and the dense spikes of pink to white flowers that appear from May to August. Plant Tamarix in a sunny spot with well-drained soil; it will grow in chalk, clay, loam or sand and copes with acid to alkaline pH. Choose a south- or west-facing position where it will receive the most sun. Exposure can be either open or sheltered, and the species is classed H5 — hardy for most UK gardens. Use Tamarix on coastal banks, in cottage and informal borders, or where low maintenance is required. It suits sites that handle salt spray and dry surface conditions better than waterlogged ground. Expect a clean seasonal display: the flower spikes provide a delicate summer show against the shrub’s grey-green foliage from May to August.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Tamarix

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Tamarix size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Spreading branched

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance

Native to

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Angola, Assam, Baleares, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, Cape Verde, Chad, China North-Central, China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Greece, Gulf States, India, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mali, Manchuria, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Qinghai, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South European Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Western Sahara, Xinjiang, Yemen

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Tamarix

Propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, Hardwood cuttings in winter, Seed sown when ripe in containers in a cold-frame

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

Frequently asked questions