Practical
Plants

Tamarix parviflora

Small-Flowered Tamarisk

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Tamarix
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[7]. It does not like being trimmed[7].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Europe - Balkans, Aegean.
Habitat
Hedges and river banks[6]. Not found on saline soils.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[4]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15 - 25cm long, planted outdoors in late autumn in a nursery bed or straight into their permanent position. High percentage[1][4].

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[1]. This species is not found in saline soils in the wild and so might not be tolerant of them in cultivation[K]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[2]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[1][4]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[1], plants require a moister soil and shelter from cold drying winds when they are grown inland in non-saline soils because they use the soil salts that are found in saline soils to help them reduce transpiration[4]. Plants flower mainly on wood produced in the previous summer[5]. Growth can be restricted by cutting back the plants after they have flowered in the spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[3]. Closely related to T. tetrandra. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  3. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

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  6. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  7. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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