Tamarix ramosissima

The summer tamarisk, in Latin Tamarix ramosissima, is a large deciduous bush with a feathery appearance, due to both its remarkably fine foliage and its summer flowering in large clusters of bright pink. It is a particularly robust species, cold-resistant and capable of thriving in poor soils, even dry and salty ones. It is widely planted in coastal gardens, especially as a windbreak. It also adapts very well to inland areas, in the sun, in any well-drained soil.

The summer tamarisk belongs to the family Tamaricaceae, it bears the Latin names Tamarix odessana, Tamarix pentandra Pall. p.p., Tamarix pallasii var. brachystachys, and Tamarix pentandra. This botanical species is native to a wide geographical area, from southeastern Europe to Mongolia, passing through the steppes of Central Asia. This large bush or small tree has a bushy, airy, and very elegant habit. It reaches about 5.5 m in height and 4 m in spread if not pruned. As its name "ramosissima", which means "very branched", suggests it produces numerous branches densely inserted on the branches. They are reddish-brown. The tiny needle-like leaves, tender green in spring, gradually turn bluish-grey green. They turn yellow in autumn before falling off. The bark has a beautiful cinnamon colour and cracks with age.
Tamarix ramosissima blooms in summer, on the current year's growth, between July and September, earlier or later depending on the region. It produces a multitude of long, narrow clusters composed of small light pink flowers.

Tamarix is perfectly adapted to spartan conditions, harsh and arid climates. It is one of the best shrubs for the seaside, where it is used as a windbreak because it withstands both strong winds and sea spray. You can associate it with other shrubs such as Griselina littoralis, Ceanothus 'Skylark', oleander, sea buckthorn or Elaeagnus umbellata, to create a beautiful ensemble that changes throughout the year.