Saltcedar / tamarisk
Tamarix ramosissima
Saltcedar / tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. DO NOT PLANT. Visible in this dataset only when the Advanced 'Include AVOID-list plants' toggle is on.
low to medium water12–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wideXeric / water-wiseInvasive in Colorado
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Tamarix ramosissima
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 12–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–9.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
Things to know before you plant
- Invasive, do not plantListed on Colorado's noxious weed list (List B). Salt-cedar transforms riparian ecosystems by drawing down groundwater, increasing soil salinity, and outcompeting native willows and cottonwoods. Active eradication programs target it along major Front Range waterways.
- Spreads aggressivelySaltcedar, listed CO noxious weed; do not plant
Wildlife & ecology
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Saltcedar / tamarisk good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Saltcedar / tamarisk is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Saltcedar / tamarisk?
- The main things to know: Listed on Colorado's noxious weed list (List B). Salt-cedar transforms riparian ecosystems by drawing down groundwater, increasing soil salinity, and outcompeting native willows and cottonwoods. Active eradication programs target it along major Front Range waterways. Saltcedar, listed CO noxious weed; do not plant
- How big does Saltcedar / tamarisk get?
- It matures to about 12–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Saltcedar / tamarisk?
- Space Saltcedar / tamarisk about 15 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 10 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Saltcedar / tamarisk hardy on the Front Range?
- Saltcedar / tamarisk is hardy in USDA 2–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Saltcedar / tamarisk need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Saltcedar / tamarisk grow?
- Saltcedar / tamarisk is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Saltcedar / tamarisk native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Saltcedar / tamarisk deer-resistant?
- No. Saltcedar / tamarisk is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
