About
A small, deciduous, spreading tree to 6m, with peeling grey and brown bark and glossy, dark green leaves; the foliage displays good autumn colour. In summer, large conical clusters of white flowers are produced.
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 typeLoam, Sand, Clay
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil in full sun. Hot summers are needed for best flowering
PruningSee pruning group 1; will withstand hard pruning
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)