Tamarix chinensis

Tamarix chinensis, Chinese Tamarix is relatively common in UK gardens although it is usually sold under the synonym, Tamarix pentandra. It is a tough vigourous shrubby tree which is covered in masses of attractive small pale pink flowers in early Spring, usually in April. It has tiny scale-like leaves set close to the stems which give the stems a linear twig-like character. It can be trained to develop a strong central trunk or pruned to form a many-branched shrub.

Tamarix chinensis is highly resistant to salt-spray and brackish water and is an ideal shrub for coastal situations.