About
Masses of white flowers with ruffled petals appear from summer through to autumn, followed by round, dark brown seeds. A large, upright and spreading multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, to around 3m in height, with dark green oval leaves which turn red-purple in the autumn. Brown and grey peeling bark offers more interest throughout the year. Although semi-hardy, it may need protection in the winter in colder conditions.
About the genus
Lagerstroemia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with simple leaves and conical panicles of flowers with ruffled petals; some have attractive peeling bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil in full sun. Hot summers are needed for best flowering
PruningPruning group 1, but will tolerate hard pruning if needed
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly if grown indoors
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)