3 years ago I purchased a Pink Cascade Tamarix. It is growing like crazy-even though I am trying to keep it bush like. I wanted to move it near my new inground pool but I heard the roots are very far reaching. If this is true-how far away from the pool can it be-or would it be better to not move it? Also, the salt that it apparently emits into the soil-is this bad for my yellow magnolia tree that hasn't flowered yet? I should have thought before I bought!
Hi Bryn, I've learned over time that some plants, no matter how lovely, just shouldn't be grown. I was once given a vine and told it was a honeysuckle. After 3 years it finally matured enough to bloom and I discovered that it was the pest - Japanese honeysuckle. I shovel pruned it. I was also given a plant by a friend and told it was a salvia. When it bloomed I discovered it was purple loosestrife. Yup, shovel pruned that one too and discovered the only safe way to dispose of it was to burn it. Into the fireplace in a brown bag. My point here is why grow something so invasive that the environment suffers and we all lose just to have something lovely to look at? There are other lovely plants that I can grow and sleep easy at night. It's your decision. Here's some info for you to ponder, though I suspect that you already know this. From this site: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/saltcedar.htm "Saltcedar is a massive consumer of water. Its long taproot penetrates the soil to deep water tables and interferes with natural aquatic systems. Mature saltcedar stems and leaves excrete salt, forming an above and below surface crust which inhibits other plants. These characteristics make it an aggressive colonizer that will replace willows, cottonwoods and other riparian vegetation. Saltcedar's enormous consumption of water stresses native plants by lowering ground water levels thereby drying up springs and marshes. Its massive rooting system can clog watercourses resulting in flooding. Saltcedar can provide cover for some wildlife species but its foliage and flowers contribute little in the way of food value for native wildlife consumption. It is listed as a legislated noxious weed in 6 US states. Despite decades of cultivation in British Columbia it is not known to have caused a concern in the province to date. Landscapers are encouraged to plant alternate vegetation and to ensure existing plantings do not escape." I don't know how far away your yellow magnolia is, but this site says this Tamarix grows to 15 meters wide. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plantdoctor/coastalgardens/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=4452&CategoryID= Newt
