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).
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
Where is the best place to plant Tamarix?
Tamarix prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Tamarix need?
Tamarix is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Tamarix hardy in the UK?
Tamarix has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Tamarix?
Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, Hardwood cuttings in winter, Seed sown when ripe in containers in a cold-frame.
More in the Tamarix genus
- Tamarix hampeana
- Tamarix ramosissimatamarisk
- Tamarix ramosissima 'Rosea'
- Tamarix 'Aestivalis'
- Tamarix manniferamanna tamarisk