Tamarix canariensis
Willd.
Tamarisk, Canary Island tamarisk
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(c) Txalen Galina-Gaiton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Txalen Galina-Gaiton
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no rights reserved, uploaded by dbmhartley
Description
Tamarix canariensis is a deciduous Tree at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Edible Uses
A sweet manna-like substance that exudes from the stems is collected and mixed with flour, sugar and almonds, formed into cakes and baked as a sweetmeat.
Distribution
Europe - Mediterranean. Canary Isles.
Where It Grows
Coming Soon
Cultivation
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. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, but it succeed in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Growth can be restricted by cutting back the plants in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
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. 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.
Other Uses
Hedge Hedge. Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens.
