Lagerstroemia indica

RHS Plant Profile

crape myrtle

Other common names

紫薇 (zĭ wēi), crepe flower, Indian crape myrtle

Shrubs Trees Conservatory Greenhouse

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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 showy, conical panicles up to 20cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lythraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S & E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

In 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

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 10°C in spring, or by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1, but will tolerate hard pruning if needed

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly if grown indoors

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)