Tamarix ramosissima aka Tamarisk

Taxonomy

Tamarix ramosissima, also known as saltcedar, salt cedar, or tamarisk, is a deciduous arching shrub with reddish stems. It features feathery, pale green foliage and is characterized by small pink flowers. The cultivar 'Pink Cascade' is a variation with dark pink flowers and has been honored with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Another variety, 'Rubra', is a medium-sized shrub with reddish branches and slender shoots adorned with tiny scale-like grey-green leaves. It produces small deep pink flowers in long feathery racemes during late summer and autumn. On the other hand, Tamarix chinensis, also referred to as five-stamen tamarisk or Chinese tamarisk, is a species native to China and Korea. It has become an introduced species and sometimes an invasive noxious weed in many parts of the world. This plant thrives in moist habitats with saline soils. It can grow as a tree with a single trunk or as a shrub with several spreading erect branches that can reach a maximum height of 6 meters or more, occasionally reaching 12 meters. The bark of Tamarix chinensis is reddish, brown, or black. Its multibranched twigs are covered in small lance-shaped, scale-like leaves that measure no more than 3 mm in length. The inflorescence is a dense raceme of fragrant flowers, a few centimeters long, with five petals that range in color from white to red, typically appearing pink.

Common names

Tamarisk, Salt Cedar, Pink Tamarisk

How to care for Tamarisk

Difficulty

Caring for Tamarisk is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Tamarisk should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Tamarisk loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Tamarisk requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Salt Cedar is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Tamarisk to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Region of origin

Tamarisk’s native range is E. Asia - S. Russia to China.


More info:
Wikipedia