Dorset coastal shrub for ID please.

[LynM]

This shrub is up to 10 feet high in places just behind Chesil Bank at Abbotsbury and forms a high hedge. Please can someone tell me what it is?

[davidbr]

It's Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica), quite frequently naturalised in the south, although it's also widely planted in gardens near the sea

[LynM]

Thanks, Dave. That's really interesting, because not far along the coast at West Bexington, there is a farm called Tamarisk Farm.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by davidbr

It's Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica), quite frequently naturalised in the south, although it's also widely planted in gardens near the sea

I've never noticed it have fruit and flowers together quite so overtly before.

Is this common?

(PS also seen around E Anglian coasts)

[sidewalkdoctor]

Grows all around the Island coast in fairly poor soils ,it must be said, got some pics _somewhere_on_a_HDD.

[solus]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I've never noticed it have fruit and flowers together quite so overtly before.

Is this common?

Er....it doesn't! Those are buds and open flowers in the photo. Tamarisk flowers in spring - May/early June so I assume these photos were taken some months back?

[LynM]

Er....no, Solus, these pictures were taken on Friday afternoon this week! There are yards and yards of them all in the same state and looking very attractive.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by LynM

Er....no, Solus, these pictures were taken on Friday afternoon this week! There are yards and yards of them all in the same state and looking very attractive.

There are different species of Tamarix + some do flower later in the season.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by solus

Er....it doesn't! Those are buds and open flowers in the photo. Tamarisk flowers in spring - May/early June so I assume these photos were taken some months back?

Oh yes! Just the ones in the shade look so dark and purply!

[sidewalkdoctor]

Flowering Tamarisk on the IoW is only just beginning to fade away.