Lagerstroemia indica Crepe Myrtle
Flowering in January, February and March (NZ) each year Lagerstroemia catches the eye with its large bunches of intriguing flowers which can be seen from quite a distance.
L. indica is a small neat tree or large shrub and is the hardiest of all the approximately 50 species of Lagerstroemia. In the last 20 years a number of cultivars have been developed. These range in height from 0.5 metres to 3 metres providing a range of versatile plants for the garden.
It is an attractive shrub growing up to about 3metres in New Zealand. Masses of long lasting flowers held up high on terminal panicles resemble crepe paper are produced in late summer. The colours vary from white to very dark red/purple. The delicate flowers have large crinkled petals surrounding the yellow stamen in the centre.
The leaves are oval shaped and shiny unfolding with a bronze colour later fading to green.
The mottled bark is extremely attractive especially with its silver tinges adding an extra dimension in summer and becoming a prime feature in autumn and winter.
Lagerstroemia like a sunny, hot dry and sheltered position to protect them from heavy frosts and ensure they flower well. Some moisture at flowering time ensures great flowers.
Growing on the flat in Christchurch they can withstand light frosts which may kill the tips of branches. Regular light pruning will keep them in shape and encourage new growth which produces the flowers. They are also easily trained into standards or other shapes.
There are a number of forms L. indica “Alba’ White Flowers, L. indica Rubra’ red flowers as well as several named varieties. In the last 20 years many new hybrids and cultivars have been developed and it is now a widely grown landscape plant in public and private areas and gardens especially in warm countries.
The following have been introduced to NZ.
Lagerstroemia indica
In 2017/8 a number of new varieties have been introduced in Australia. They are protected under the Plant Varieties Legislation.
Lagerstroemia indica
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A native of China it was first introduced to the Kew gardens in 1759. It was named after Magnus van Lagerstrom of Goteborg, a director of the Swedish East India Company who supplied plants he collected to Carl Linnaeus. Other species grow in South and East Asia and down to New Guinea and northern Australia.
The common crepe myrtle (L. indica) from China and Korea was introduced circa 1790 to Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States by the French botanist André Michaux.
L. indica is a small neat tree or large shrub and is the hardiest of all the approximately 50 species of Lagerstroemia. In the last 20 years a number of cultivars have been developed. These range in height from 0.5 metres to 3 metres providing a range of versatile plants for the garden.
It is an attractive shrub growing up to about 3metres in New Zealand. Masses of long lasting flowers held up high on terminal panicles resemble crepe paper are produced in late summer. The colours vary from white to very dark red/purple. The delicate flowers have large crinkled petals surrounding the yellow stamen in the centre.
The leaves are oval shaped and shiny unfolding with a bronze colour later fading to green.
The mottled bark is extremely attractive especially with its silver tinges adding an extra dimension in summer and becoming a prime feature in autumn and winter.
Lagerstroemia like a sunny, hot dry and sheltered position to protect them from heavy frosts and ensure they flower well. Some moisture at flowering time ensures great flowers.
Growing on the flat in Christchurch they can withstand light frosts which may kill the tips of branches. Regular light pruning will keep them in shape and encourage new growth which produces the flowers. They are also easily trained into standards or other shapes.
There are a number of forms L. indica “Alba’ White Flowers, L. indica Rubra’ red flowers as well as several named varieties. In the last 20 years many new hybrids and cultivars have been developed and it is now a widely grown landscape plant in public and private areas and gardens especially in warm countries.
The following have been introduced to NZ.
Lagerstroemia indica
- ‘Bergerac’ – Magenta flowers
- ‘Kimono’ White flowers
- ‘La Mousson’ Vivid pink flowers
- ‘Petite Orchid Compact plant, cerise-purple flowers
- ‘Petite Embers’ Compact plant rosey red flowers
- ‘Saint Emilion’ Large crimson flowers
- ‘Soir D’Ete’ almond pink flowers.
- ‘Soir D’Puard’ Lilac mauve flowers
- ‘Terre Chinoise’ Claret flowers
In 2017/8 a number of new varieties have been introduced in Australia. They are protected under the Plant Varieties Legislation.
Lagerstroemia indica
- 'Enduring Summer Red', Red leaves followed by red flowers, compact habit.
- Diamonds in the Dark Series, Near Black foliage in spring followed by flowers
- 'Red Hot'
- 'Pure White'
- 'Blush'
- 'Best red'
- 'Crimson Red'
http://www.touchofclassplants.com.au/
A native of China it was first introduced to the Kew gardens in 1759. It was named after Magnus van Lagerstrom of Goteborg, a director of the Swedish East India Company who supplied plants he collected to Carl Linnaeus. Other species grow in South and East Asia and down to New Guinea and northern Australia.
The common crepe myrtle (L. indica) from China and Korea was introduced circa 1790 to Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States by the French botanist André Michaux.