About

A large, spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree to around 4m tall with dark purple-brown young shoots clothed with small, scale-like, blue-green leaves. Star-shaped, whitish-pink flowers are borne in cylindrical clusters on the current season's shoots.

About the genus

Tamarix are deciduous shrubs or small trees of feathery effect, with minute leaves and racemes of very small pink or white flowers in spring, summer or early autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toSW Europe

Care notes

CultivationGrows well in most soils but dislikes shallow chalky soil. Requires full sun and a well-drained sandy soil in coastal plantings but it requires shelter from cold drying winds when planted inland
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter. Propagate by seed sown, when ripe, in containers in a cold-frame
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)