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Common Name: Kashgar Tree

General Information

Tamarix hispida is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
The plant can be used in soil stabilization projects and is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Caspian Sea to Manchuria.

Habitat

River sides, lake basins, salty meadows and sand dunes in desert regions[].

Properties

Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[, ]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[], 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[].
Not often seen in British gardens, probably because it needs more sun than it can get here. It is best tried on a sunny wall[, ]. Plants are not long-lived at Kew Gardens[].
This species flowers on the current year's growth[]. Any pruning is best carried out in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[]. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning, sprouting freely from old wood[].
The flowers are produced on the current season's growth[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens.
Often planted on dunes and other sandy soils in order to stabilize them[].

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, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
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[, ].