Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia Plants (Crape Myrtle)

Spectacular Summer-Flowering Trees & Shrubs for Sunny, Sheltered Gardens

Lagerstroemia, commonly known as Crape Myrtle, is a striking flowering tree or shrub prized for its spectacular summer blooms, attractive foliage and beautiful architectural form. Producing generous clusters of colourful flowers during the warmer months, Lagerstroemia brings a distinctive Mediterranean feel to patios, borders and contemporary planting schemes.

Depending on the variety, flowers can appear in shades of pink, red, purple, lilac or white, creating an impressive display during summer and often continuing into early autumn.

As well as its flowers, Lagerstroemia offers attractive foliage and seasonal colour, while mature specimens can develop beautifully patterned and peeling bark. Available in a range of forms, including bushy, multi-stem and architectural specimen plants, Lagerstroemia is an excellent choice when you're looking for something a little more unusual.

Why Choose Lagerstroemia?

Lagerstroemia combines spectacular flowering with attractive foliage and architectural structure, providing interest across several seasons.

Key benefits include:

• Masses of colourful summer flowers
• Long flowering season
• Beautiful pink, red, purple, lilac or white blooms
• Attractive foliage
• Excellent autumn colour
• Decorative bark on mature specimens
• Available in different shapes and forms
• Ideal as a statement plant
• Excellent for sunny patios and borders
• Perfect for Mediterranean and contemporary gardens
• Suitable for large containers
• Provides interest across several seasons

Lagerstroemia Flowers

The flowers are undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of Lagerstroemia.

Large clusters of small flowers develop during summer, with their delicately crinkled petals giving them an almost crepe-paper appearance – hence the common name Crape Myrtle.

Flowering can continue for an extended period when plants are enjoying warm, sunny conditions, providing valuable colour later in the season when many spring-flowering shrubs have long since finished.

Different varieties offer different flower colours, making it possible to choose a Lagerstroemia to complement your existing planting scheme.

Where to Plant Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia loves warmth and performs best in a sunny, sheltered position.

It is particularly effective in:

• Sunny borders
• Sheltered gardens
• Patios and terraces
• Courtyards
• Mediterranean-style gardens
• Contemporary planting schemes
• Large containers
• Against warm, sunny walls
• Statement planting
• Protected urban gardens

A position receiving plenty of sunlight will help encourage strong growth and the best possible flowering display.

Growing Conditions

For the best results, choose a warm, sunny and sheltered position with well-drained soil.

Lagerstroemia dislikes sitting in cold, wet ground, particularly during winter, so good drainage is important.

For best results, provide:

• Full sun
• A warm, sheltered position
• Fertile, well-drained soil
• Protection from cold, drying winds
• Regular watering while establishing

In colder or more exposed areas, choosing a protected position such as against a sunny wall can provide a more favourable microclimate.

Lagerstroemia in Pots

Lagerstroemia can make a spectacular container plant, particularly on sunny patios and terraces.

Growing in a pot can also be useful where garden soil is unsuitable or where you would like greater flexibility over the plant's position.

Choose a substantial container with excellent drainage and enough room for the root system to develop.

Container-grown Lagerstroemia will require regular watering during warm weather, as pots can dry considerably faster than plants growing directly in the ground.

In colder locations, container-grown specimens may benefit from additional winter protection.

Lagerstroemia Through the Seasons

Lagerstroemia provides interest well beyond its main flowering period.

In spring, fresh foliage emerges as temperatures begin to rise.

During summer, the plant produces its spectacular clusters of brightly coloured flowers, creating its main seasonal display.

As temperatures begin to fall in autumn, the foliage can develop attractive warm shades before dropping.

During winter, deciduous varieties reveal their branching structure, while mature plants can display attractive bark, adding another decorative feature.

Is Lagerstroemia Evergreen?

Lagerstroemia is generally deciduous, meaning it naturally loses its leaves during autumn and winter.

This should not be mistaken for the plant dying.

As temperatures warm in spring, fresh foliage develops again, followed later in the season by the flower display.

Because Lagerstroemia can be relatively late to come into active growth compared with some other garden plants, don't be concerned if it remains bare while neighbouring plants are already beginning to leaf.

Is Lagerstroemia Hardy?

Lagerstroemia can be grown successfully in many UK gardens, but its hardiness can vary between individual varieties.

It performs best in a warm, sunny and sheltered position, and young or recently planted specimens can be more vulnerable during severe winter weather.

In colder areas, additional winter protection may be advisable, particularly for container-grown plants.

Always check the specific hardiness and growing requirements of the individual variety before planting.

Watering Lagerstroemia

Newly planted Lagerstroemia should be watered regularly while establishing.

Give the plant a deep, thorough watering, allowing moisture to penetrate through the entire rootball rather than applying small quantities to the soil surface.

During hot and dry summer weather, established plants may also benefit from additional watering, particularly while flowering.

Plants grown in containers will generally need more frequent watering.

Feeding Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia can benefit from feeding during the growing season, particularly when grown in containers.

A suitable feed can help support healthy growth and flowering, but avoid excessive feeding that encourages large amounts of soft foliage at the expense of flowers.

Following the recommended application rate for your chosen fertiliser is always advisable.

Pruning Lagerstroemia

Pruning requirements will depend on the size, variety and form of your Lagerstroemia.

Light pruning can be used to remove damaged, crossing or unwanted branches and maintain an attractive framework.

More architectural specimens may require selective pruning to preserve their trained shape.

Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning, particularly if you have purchased a mature specimen specifically for its established structure.

Multi-Stem & Architectural Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia is particularly impressive when grown as a multi-stem or architectural specimen.

The combination of visible stems, an elevated canopy and masses of colourful flowers creates a striking focal point.

Larger trained specimens work particularly well in contemporary landscaping, courtyards and around patios, where their structure can be appreciated throughout the year.

Some Lagerstroemia may also be available in specially trained shapes, including Parachute forms, where the stems and canopy have been developed to create a distinctive architectural silhouette.

What to Plant with Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia works beautifully with plants that enjoy similarly sunny and well-drained conditions.

Excellent planting partners include:

• Lavender
• Salvia
• Agapanthus
• Verbena
• Gaura
• Echinacea
• Nepeta
• Perovskia
• Phormium
• Olive trees
• Ornamental grasses
• Mediterranean-style shrubs

Combining Lagerstroemia with softer grasses and flowering perennials can create an attractive contrast with its stronger architectural form.

Buy Lagerstroemia Online

Our range of Lagerstroemia plants for sale includes carefully selected Crape Myrtle varieties and specimen plants chosen for their spectacular flowers, attractive foliage and architectural form.

From colourful flowering shrubs to impressive multi-stem and trained specimens, Lagerstroemia is perfect for bringing a touch of Mediterranean character to warm, sunny areas of the garden.

Whether planted as a statement feature, incorporated into a sunny border or displayed in a large container, Crape Myrtle provides exceptional summer colour and seasonal interest.

Shop our range of Lagerstroemia plants online and enjoy spectacular summer flowers, beautiful foliage and architectural structure in your garden.