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Tamarix is a beautiful flowering low tree or shrub, a typical representative of the Tamarisk family (Tamaricaceae). Due to the similarity in pronunciation of the name of the genus and family, many call it tamarisk, distorting the correct name. Planting and caring for tamarisk in the Moscow region has its own nuances, this is what will be discussed further.
Features of growing tamarix in the Moscow region
Tamarix (comber, beadweed) is a genus that includes more than 75 species. But not every one of them is suitable for growing in the Moscow region. Many tamarix are thermophilic and cannot tolerate temperatures dropping to -17°C, and in winter in the Moscow region there are frosts down to -30°C. Judging by numerous reviews, you can cultivate tamarix in the Moscow region, the main thing is to choose the appropriate variety and strictly follow all the rules of agricultural technology.Reliable shelter for the bushes for the winter is the key to successful cultivation of beaded plants in the Moscow region.
Tamarix varieties for the Moscow region
When choosing tamarix for planting in the Moscow region, you must first of all pay attention to the degree of frost resistance of the crop, and only then to its decorative qualities. Tamarix graceful and branchy is most often planted in the Moscow region.
Tamarix gracilis
The natural habitat covers the territories of Mongolia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, China, the species is often found in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation and in Ukraine. Tamarix graceful is a shrub up to 4 m tall, with tapering thick branches covered with small cork spots. The bark is grayish-green or brown-chestnut. Green young shoots are covered with sharp leaves growing like tiles; on one-year-old branches there are larger lanceolate leaves of a fawn shade. It blooms in spring with simple bright pink clusters about 5 cm long, summer inflorescences are more voluminous and long (up to 7 cm). The flowering period ends closer to autumn. This natural type of tamarix is considered the most frost-resistant and is always popular among gardeners in the Moscow region.
Branched tamarix (Tamarix ramosissima)
Tamarix five-stamen, as this species is also called, is an upright growing bush, in the Moscow region rarely exceeding 2 m in height. Flowering continues from June to early autumn. The inflorescences are complex volumetric brushes of various shades of pink. Tamarix branched in the Moscow region perfectly adapts to the conditions of the metropolis, is undemanding to the composition of the soil, and quickly recovers after freezing.
Variety Rubra (Rubra). Deciduous shrub with loose arched branches, average height at maturity is 2-4 m, with a crown diameter of 2-3 m.The leaf blades are narrow, awl-shaped, length does not exceed 1.5 mm, shoots are bluish-green, annual branches have a reddish tint. It blooms from June to September with lush clusters of rich red-violet color. Tamarix variety Rubra is unpretentious to growing conditions, tolerates shearing well, and winters in the Moscow region with shelter.
Variety Summer Glow (Samma Glow). The bush is distinguished by greenish-blue awl-shaped foliage with a silvery sheen and a lush flowing crown. During the flowering period, tamarix in the Moscow region is strewn with countless buds and flowers of a noble crimson hue. The variety is light-loving; seedlings may die in the shade. The plant for the Moscow region looks good both in single plantings and in groups.
Variety Pink Cascade (Pink Cascade). The bush is spreading and openwork, height and diameter rarely exceed 2-3 m. The leaves are scaly, reduced, colored in gray-green tones. Numerous inflorescences are presented in the form of racemes with dark pink buds and flowers of lighter colors. The variety is characterized by abundant flowering throughout the summer. The plant is recommended for cultivation in the 6th frost resistance zone (up to -17.8°C).
Rosea variety. Similar to the previous cultivar, it grows up to 2 m; the plant is used in group and single plantings.
Tamarix tetrandra
According to the book by E. Wocke, this type of tamarisk can be grown in the conditions of the Moscow region. In the Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Tamarix four-stamens has a height of about 2 m, freezes slightly every year, but is easily restored, and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C.The flowering period in the Moscow region and similar climatic zones is June-July. The most popular variety is Africana.
Planting Tamarix in the Moscow region
To successfully grow tamarix in the Moscow region, it is important to follow the recommendations of experts. A correctly selected and prepared place, as well as planting dates, are one of the main pillars on the path to a lush, blooming beaded plant.
Recommended timing
Tamarix can be planted both in autumn during leaf fall and in early spring. In the Moscow region, spring planting is recommended so that the seedling has time to adapt to a new location, grow a good root system over the summer and fall, and overwinter safely.
Site selection and soil preparation
The area where tamarix will grow should be located at the highest place, but at the same time be protected from drafts and piercing winds. The sun should illuminate the bush from all sides; planting in the shade is extremely undesirable. During the period of snow melting, water should not accumulate and stagnate at the roots of Tamarix, as close groundwater is detrimental to the plant.
Tamarix is unpretentious to the composition of the soil; it can grow even on saline and heavy clay soils improved with peat and humus. The main requirement for the soil is that it must be well drained, otherwise there is a risk of developing fungal diseases.
Landing algorithm
Planting beaded shrubs in the Moscow region is not much different from working with other shrubs; it is enough to follow these steps step by step:
- In the selected location, dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 60 cm.
- The bottom is covered with a 20 cm layer of drainage. This can be pebbles, crushed stone, broken brick, expanded clay.
- A mixture of wood ash and humus is placed on the drainage.
- Next, 2/3 of the planting hole is filled with soil from garden soil, sand and peat, mixed in proportions 2:1:1.
- Before planting, the seedling is trimmed, leaving 30-50 cm from the root collar.
- The young tamarisk is placed in the center of the hole, the roots are straightened and sprinkled with soil to ground level. The root collar should not be buried.
- The soil around the seedling is lightly compacted and then generously shed with warm, settled water.
- For 2-3 weeks after planting, tamarix is protected from direct sunlight if the weather is clear in the Moscow region.
Rules for caring for tamarisk in the Moscow region
Planting and caring for tamarisk shrubs in the Moscow region will not take a gardener much time. It is enough to regularly feed it, water it during drought, carry out sanitary and formative pruning and provide good cover for the winter.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
In the Moscow region, the beaded plant needs watering only when there is a long absence of rain. Only young plants need to be watered regularly. To prevent moisture evaporation, the circle around the trunk is mulched.
In the spring, with the beginning of the growing season, beaded plants are fed with organic matter. In the summer season, to maintain long and abundant flowering, the bush is sprayed on the foliage with a solution of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. For these purposes, you can use products for beautiful flowering plants:
- "Kemira Universal";
- "Fertika Lux".
Trimming
According to reviews, tamarisk in the Moscow region freezes completely above the snow cover level.The crown is trimmed in early spring before the buds swell. Old branches with insignificant growth are cut into rings, this stimulates the growth of young shoots. At the beginning of the growing season, shoots damaged by frost are identified and shortened to healthy wood. Formative pruning can be carried out after flowering has ended; branches that are too elongated are removed, giving the crown a neat appearance.
How to prepare tamarix for winter in the Moscow region
Before frosts arrive in the Moscow region, you should worry about reliable shelter for the bushes for the winter. Tamarix is mulched with a thick layer of fallen leaves or peat. In November, the branches are carefully bent to the ground, fixed and covered with spruce branches, and the trunk is wrapped in thick cloth.
Pests and diseases
Bisernik belongs to plants that have high immunity to various pests. It is affected only if there are other affected crops in the garden next to it. It is enough to treat the crown once with an insecticide solution to get rid of this problem. Most effective to use:
- "Aktellik";
- "Aktaru";
- "Fitoverm".
With increased air and soil humidity due to prolonged rains or violations of agricultural practices, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or root rot may develop on tamarix. At the same time, the plant looks depressed: brown spots appear, a grayish coating appears, the leaves lose turgor. If these types of symptoms occur, damaged branches should be immediately removed and the bush should be treated with a fungicide solution:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Fundazol";
- "Topaz."
Conclusion
Planting and caring for tamarisk in the Moscow region is not a difficult task for knowledgeable and trained gardeners. Just 2-3 seasons after planting, the bush will bloom with myriads of pink beads and become the main decoration of the garden plot.
