Lagerstroemia Early Bird Purple ('Jd827') (Early Bird Series)

RHS Plant Profile
crape myrtle [Early Bird Purple]

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crape myrtle [Early Bird Purple] RHS
crape myrtle [Early Bird Purple] RHS

Synonyms

Lagerstroemia 'Jd827'

Shrubs

A fast-growing, spreading and weeping deciduous shrub to a height of around 1.8m, with dark green foliage turning golden yellow in autumn. Bright purple flowers with crinkled petals are produced in large, terminal clusters in summer. Brown and grey peeling bark offers more interest throughout the year. Particularly suitable for smaller gardens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lythraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Pendulous weeping, Spreading branched
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
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil in full sun. Hot summers are needed for best flowering

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • 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)