About
An upright, deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed tree to 4m tall, with grey, peeling bark revealing brown patches beneath. In summer it bears small clusters of white, pink or pale purple flowers. In autumn the foliage turns orange and red.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
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
Native toE Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
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)