Plant Location: Earth-Kind Garden and Texas Wildscape Garden
 |
 |
||
| Common Name(s): | Common Crape Myrtle, Crape Flower, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Indian Crape Myrtle, Lilac of the South Previously known as: Lagerstroemia chinensis | Phonetic Spelling: la-ger-STRO-me-a IN-di-ka Description: Deciduous, erect, multi-trunked, tree or shrub in the loosestrife family. Genus name honors Magnus von Lagerstroem, who was a Swedish botanist & director of Swedish East Indies Company. The species epithet references its native origin in India. The common name is derived from the crepe paper-like petals and the bark and foliage features that are similar to the myrtle plant. It requires and moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate occasionally wet or dry soil once established. Place it in a sheltered location protected from winter winds and mulch the soil to protect the roots. Propagate by seed or stem cutting. Depending on the variety selected, common crape myrtle is a rapid grower. Severe pruning or topping of the crape myrtle should not be needed to control plant size. If pruning is required to thin the tree or shrub, it is best done in late winter or spring before the new growth on which blossoms appear begins. The flower color of the wild-type species is rose to red, but there are cultivars offering a variety of colors. The leaves are light green with tinges of red initially that become dark green by summer and colorful in the fall. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scales and flea beetles are problems for the crape myrtle. The crape myrtle bark scale is particularly an issue in western Tennessee and is best treated by the use of pesticides. Scrub brushes may also be used to remove scales. Potential diseases include leaf spot and powdery mildew. | |
| Botanical Name: | Lagerstroemia indica | ||
| Plant Location: | Earth-Kind Garden & Texas Wildscape Garden | ||
| Type: | Perennial tree or shrub | ||
| Family: | Lythraceae | ||
| Native Range: | Philippines, Japan & central Himalayas to southern China & Indochina | ||
| Zone: | 6A – 9B | ||
| Height: | 6 to 30 feet | ||
| Spread: | 6 to 30 feet | ||
| Bloom Time: | July to September | ||
| Bloom Description: | Long lasting, showy flowers that are 6-parted, ruffled & have clawed petals long lasting, Showy, | ||
| Sun: | Full | ||
| Water: | Medium | ||
| Maintenance: | Medium | ||
| Suggested Use: | Lawns, recreational play areas, & butterfly, children’s, cottage or pollinator gardens. Groups commonly used as a hedge, privacy screen or street tree landscape. Dwarf varieties can be grown in containers. | ||
| Flower: | Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White | ||
| Attracts: | Butterflies & other Pollinators | ||
| Notable Highlights: | Deer, drought & pollution resistant. Also has exfoliating bark. | ||
| Information on this page is generally from Missouri Botanical Gardens, North Carolina Ext. Gardener Plant Toolbox | |||