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Lagerstroemia indica - L.

Common Name Crepe Myrtle, Crepeflower
Family Lythraceae
USDA hardiness 7-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open grassy places and on cliffs at low altitudes[11], also on forest edges[147].
Range E. Asia - China, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lagerstroemia indica Crepe Myrtle, Crepeflower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lagerstroemia_indica_Blanco1.207.png
Lagerstroemia indica Crepe Myrtle, Crepeflower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fanghong

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lagerstroemia indica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Depurative  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Hydrogogue  Purgative  Stimulant  Styptic


The stem bark is febrifuge, stimulant and styptic[218, 240]. The bark, flowers and leaves are considered to be hydrogogue and a drastic purgative[240]. A paste of the flowers is applied externally to cuts and wounds[272]. The root is astringent, detoxicant and diuretic[147, 218]. A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of colds[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - hard. A useful timber[146].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Pollard, Standard, Specimen, Street tree. Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny sheltered position[184, 200]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in soils low in nutrients[200]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[202]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c if the wood is well ripened[184]. They require very hot and humid summers and preferably the protection of a south facing wall if they are to flower in Britain[182, 260]. Plants are hardy in a very sunny position in southern England but they only flower in consistently warm summers[11]. Plants are much hardier when the wood is thoroughly ripened by the sun[166, 200]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[200]. Flowers are produced in broad panicles on the tips of the current years growth[219]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring in order to encourage new growth[219]. Young plants grow fairly quickly and will often flower in their first year after planting out[219]. Plants do not transplant well and should be moved with a large rootball[200]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[78]. Another report says to sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair to good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in the winter in a frame[200]. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. High percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Lisa Pieri   Wed Mar 12 17:16:19 2003

I have never pruned my crepe myrtle (I have had it since spring of 2001). Can I prune it now? It still has all the "dead" on it. I live in Arkansas and my other trees are beginning to bloom. I was told that since I did not prune it last fall that it was too late. Any info??

stephen ohlarik   Thu Nov 24 2005

i live in the north west part of jersey can i plant crape myrtles here?? please help thanks

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