Lagerstroemia indica

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Plant
ID 92 Lagerstroemia indica
Botanic Name Lagerstroemia indica
Common Name Crepe Myrtle
Family Name Lythraceae
Cultivars 'Biloxi','Eavasii','Heliotrope Beauty','Lipan','Mattewsii','Miami','Natchez', 'Newmannii','Peppermint','Petite Snow','Ruby Lace','Sioux','Tonto','Tuscarora','Yuma'
Origin China, 1825, Zone 6-11
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Scaly
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use Low
No. of Species 50
Growth Habit Vase-shape Growth Rate Medium
Height 6 - 8 m (20 - 27 ft) Spread 6 m (20 ft)
Plant Overview
This hardy small deciduous tree has erect mottled stems with spreading branches that form an open vase habit. It has dark green elliptical leaves and the profuse pink, lavender or white saucer-shaped flowers appear in a cluster during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Elliptical
The leaves are elliptical to oblong with an acute apex and a rounded base that has a tiny petiole appearing sessile. The upper surface is glabrous and the mid-rib on the underside is pilose. During autumn the leaves turn yellow and orange.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Entire
Colour Dull green
Size 40 - 80 mm ( 1.6 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Crateriform
The crateriform flowers have 6 crinkly petals and are arranged in a terminal panicle that is up to 200 mm (8 in) long. The colour varies from pink, red to purple and white. They appear during summer.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Red - white
Size 18 - 25 mm ( 0.7 - 1.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The spherical woody capsule is dehiscent and has 6-valves and contains small winged seeds. It turns brown and persists through out winter. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 8 - 10 mm ( 0.3 - 0.4 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moderately fertile moist sandy to clay loam, acidic, pH 5.0-6.5
Container Tubs (dwarf cultivars)
Climate Temperate
Aspect Full sun, wind protection, drought tender when young, frost hardy
Pest & Diseases Powdery mildew, wax scale, aphids, leaf spot, sooty mold, Japanese beetle
Fertiliser Add composted material to the soil during spring and keep moist
Pruning Prune back to a short stub in winter, train to single leader for a tree, may sucker from roots
Cultural Uses Propagation
Crepe Myrtle is grown for its flowers, spreading crown and bark. It is planted in small gardens or parks, along borders for screening or used in street planting. It is also grown in courtyards for summer shade and used in Japanese gardens.
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 C (61 to 64 F). Take hardwood cuttings during winter and semi hardwood cuttings during spring.
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