Tamarix tetrandra 'RUBRA'

Tamarisk (salt cedar) is a beautiful plant with tiny leaves and profusion of flowers. There are several types (species) which differ mainly in their flowering period. This one is called 4-stamen tamarisk and belongs to the spring flowering species and Rubra is a variety with very rich pink flowers from early or mid May until early June. Deciduous leaves are scale-like, very small, and dark green. Overall appearance is feathery and very fluffy thanks to which the plant looks great in a Mediterranean-style landscape, or combined with other larger plants with leathery foliage.

Tamarisk grows medium fast and this variety is quite upright and well-behaved so annual pruning is not crucial yet can be carried out soon after flowering (early summer). Best action is to cut back 80% of previous year's growth.

Comparison of salt cedars cultivated in Central Europe:
- tamarix ramosissima – blooms in summer, upright habit, leaves are more blue-green, bark is pale brown or dark grey
- tamarix parviflora – blooms in spring, arching, leggy habit if unpruned, leaves are more green, bark is chestnut brown
- tamarix tetrandra – blooms in spring, habit varies with variety but mostly upright, leaves are green, bark is dark brown or almost black

Grow tamarisk in full sun, dry or medium moist soil. It does not need a specific pH or too fertile soil. However, if you prune it hard a portion of a slow-release fertilizer is recommended. Hhardy to min. -29 °C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 05-05-2016; 24-05-2021