Saltcedar / tamarisk
Tamarix ramosissima
Saltcedar / tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) is a shrub that grows well here and should not be planted. 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
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) johnyochum, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–9.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
- Bloom color
- pink
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is Saltcedar / tamarisk good for the Colorado Front Range?
- No. Saltcedar / tamarisk is listed as invasive in Colorado and should not be planted. 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.
- 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.
