Tamarisk
Tamarix aphylla · Tamaricaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around tamarisk and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen, fine and scale-like
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July), small pale pink flowers
- Mature size
- 4 to 8 m in height, spreading and airy habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to around -15°C
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Origin
- North Africa, Middle East, arid zones
- Soil type
- Tolerant, prefers well-draining soils, tolerates salty terrain
Care
Watering
Tamarisk is very drought-tolerant once established. During the first few years, water regularly to encourage root development, then gradually space out waterings. In arid climates or during prolonged dry periods, occasional watering is sufficient. Avoid excess moisture, which can promote fungal diseases.
Exposure
Place your tamarisk in full sun for optimal growth and generous flowering. This plant appreciates heat and handles very sunny areas without any problem. In partial shade, growth will be slower and flowering less abundant.
Soil and drainage
Tamarisk is particularly appreciated for its great tolerance to poor and salty soils. Choose a well-draining soil, as stagnant moisture can damage roots. Adding compost at planting improves establishment, but regular enrichment is unnecessary.
Pruning and cutting
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, airy shape. Tamarisk handles heavier pruning well for rejuvenating an overly dense or overgrown specimen. Remove dead or diseased branches in spring. Avoid severe pruning in winter.
Fertilizer
Tamarisk doesn't require regular fertilizer applications. A single balanced fertilizer application in spring is sufficient for potted plants or depleted soil. In natural soil, supplementation is generally unnecessary.
Diseases and pests
Tamarisk is little affected by diseases or pests, especially in dry climates. Powdery mildew can appear in overly humid conditions; improve air circulation and reduce watering. In very humid climates, watch for root rot. Overall, the plant remains very robust and hardy.
Did you know?
Tamarisk is famous for its ability to 'perspire' salt: its roots absorb salty water from coastal or desert zones, then the leaves excrete the salt on the surface, creating a fine crystalline crust visible on the foliage. This remarkable adaptation explains why it thrives in the most inhospitable environments, even where few other shrubs can survive.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SaltcedarTamarix ramosissima
- Four-stamen TamariskTamarix tetrandra
- African tamariskTamarix africana
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.