Tamarix Tetrandra

Tamarix Tetrandra is commonly known as the Four Stamen Tamarisk or the Salt Cedar. It is a deciduous mid-sized shrub that produces a profusion of pink blooms in late spring. It can also be grown as a small tree.

The Salt Cedar’s foliage is tiny, scaly and needle-like, covering dark, almost black, umbrella branches that cascade from its centre. Salt Cedar’s main attraction is its pink feathery plumes of blushed pink blooms that hang in racemes from the late spring months of May to June. It creates quite a show and makes a highly attractive statement piece. These bushy racemes move in the breeze and create a soft rustling sound. If you want an architectural plant, four stamen tamarisk is a great choice.  It has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its beauty, ease of growth and reliability. 

How Hardy Is Tamarix Tetrandra?
Hardy in most place in the UK if it’s not placed in waterlogged condition. Salt cedar also tolerates high salt and windy areas, making it a top choice for costal gardens and exposed areas. 

How To Use Tamarix Tetrandra
Salt Cedar is a popular choice for a low maintenance coastal garden due to its salt and wind resistance. 
Use it to cover an unsightly area such as a shed or bare wall as it will grow to heights of 2.5 - 4 metres and spread across the same distance.  If you decide to grow your four stamen tamarisk as a tree, try placing it directly into your lawn as a statement piece. In larger gardens of open space Salt Cedar can be used to break up a featureless area.  
You can also use Tamarix Tetrandra in a border of mixed shrubs. It looks natural and wild in any conditions, attracting birds that hide in its feathery blooms. 
Try planting late spring flowering bulbs or ferns beneath Salt Cedar to create a woodland look, and place a garden bench nearby so you can admire its sights and sounds.

How To Care for Tamarix Tetrandra
Once established, Salt Cedar is self-sufficient, flowering year upon year with little care required. It likes a moist but well-drained spot in full sun, and will thrive in acid to neutral soils. It will not perform well in shallow chalky soils. Young shrubs benefit from wind protection and a thick layer of mulch in the spring. You do not need to prune Salt Cedar unless you need to restrict its growth.

A perfect pick for a coastal garden or the gardener who want a statement shrub, Four Stamen Tamarisk is a tough, yet beautiful choice supported by its RHS award of garden merit. 
Read more about Tamarix on our blog.