About
An upright, deciduous shrub or small, multi-stemmed tree to 3m tall, with peeling, grey and brown bark and glossy, dark green leaves. The foliage takes on red and orange autumn colour. In late summer, if the weather has been hot, it produces pink flowers with crinkled petals, held in conical clusters to 20cm long. Grown against a sunny, sheltered wall and protected from frost when young it will make a stunning specimen plant in mild districts.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, with the protection of a warm wall. In very cold regions grow under glass, in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 6-8 weeks; water sparingly at other times
PruningSee pruning group 1; will withstand hard pruning
PropagationPropagate by seed, softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly if grown indoors
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)