Description
Halimodendron – Salt Tree –
There is a single species of a spiny shrub, in this genus. It occurs on salt rich flood plains from Southern Europe across to Central Asia. Valued for its silvery foliage and pea like flowers borne in summer followed by fruit which consist of a pod containing seeds. It useful in a shrub border, and is ideal for coastal areas, where it is effective wind break.
Grow in poor, sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Will tolerate salty soil, but not winter moisture.
H. halodendron var. purpureum – H. argenteum var. purpureum– This deciduous, open branched, spiny shrub grows 6′ feet tall and wide. It produces alternate, pinnate, silvery-gray leaves, 3/4-1 ½” long, each ending in a spine and having 1 or 2 pairs of inversely lance shaped leaflets. In early and mid summer it bears axillary racemes, of 2 or 3 peal like, bright rosy purple flowers to 1 ½” long, followed by seed pods about 1″ long.
Zones 3-8
