About
An upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling brown and grey bark and, 8cm long, dark green leaves which are bronze when young. The crinkly, white, pink or purple flowers are produced from summer to autumn in conspicuous, conical panicles up to 20cm long.
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 moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
Native toS & E Asia
Care notes
CultivationIn frost-prone areas grow against a warm, sunny wall or overwinter in a cool or temperate greenhouse. Needs a moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1, but will tolerate hard pruning if needed
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 10°C in spring, or by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat 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)