Lagerstroemia indica

Native range: Indian Subcontinent, Asia Height: 5-7 m Width: 3-6 m Flowering: Summer Fruiting: Late summer to autumn Light: Full sun to light shade Growth rate: Moderate Soils: Loam, clay loam, sandy loam Drought tolerance: Moderate Landscape position: Forest margins, grasslands Rainfall range: 600 – 1300 mm Benefits: Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is an exotic, deciduous ornamental tree with showy displays of flowers in summer and shiny green leaves that produce excellent autumn colour. The bark is smooth and grey, with peeling strips revealing reddish-brown colours, and attractive sinuous branches revealed in winter. Crepe Myrtles have a vase-shaped form but can be grown as single stemmed plants, multi-stemmed shrubs or trees. They are ideal for gardens large and small and make good street plantings in tight spots such as public courtyards, narrow streets, pedestrian walkways or under powerlines. They will tolerate a wide range of soils and though they prefer moist soils, they are quite drought tolerant. Drawbacks: Leaves can be affected by powdery mildew fungus in wet seasons or humid sites. Newer hybrids of L. indica x L. fauriei are more resistant. Uses: Ornamental use in gardens and parklands Street plantings Propagation: From hardwood cuttings. A large range of cultivars are available with flower colour ranging from white to deep purple. Select drought-tolerant cultivars if planting in a drier site. Weed risk: Low Future climate risks: Leaf drop and flower damage during heatwaves and drought. References Fleming’s Urban Tree Guide, 2nd edition, 2014. Fleming’s Nurseries Pty Ltd. Flora of China online – https://shorturl.at/mqAZ5 Lagerstroemia indica L. in GBIF - the Global Biodiversity Information Facility – https://www.gbif.org/species/3188725 Treelogic Tree species factsheets – https://shorturl.at/elwy3