What is the common name for Lagerstroemia indica?
Noteworthy Characteristics. Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. First, you need to decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation for the best blooms. Six hours of sun a day is the minimum requirement. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage.When establishing your plant, water it several times a week. For Crepe Myrtle Shrubs, this establishment period typically lasts several months to a year depending on the size of the shrub. Well-established plants need to be watered weekly. This is especially important in hot and dry climates.Crape Myrtle is deciduous, so the plant drops its leaves during the winter and goes dormant. The plant needs this dormant period to recover from the previous growing season and gear up for the spring.
What are common Lagerstroemia indica problems?
Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are essentially trouble-free small trees. The most common problems include powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles, and sooty mold. Crape myrtles prefer full sun to thrive and produce abundant blooms. Select a location in your garden that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Ensure the chosen site has well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.Crape myrtles are beautiful trees. They do not require any pruning to encourage summer blossoms, and can grow to be tall, prolific showpieces for any landscape,” said Strickland. However, with any tree, some light corrective pruning may be in order.The best time to plant Crape Myrtles is late fall or early spring. Planting in the fall allows the roots to establish themselves before winter dormancy, while early spring planting takes advantage of the upcoming growing season.All Crape Myrtles have non-invasive roots. You can plant them next to a sidewalk, foundation and even a pool. They will not harm structures in any way.
Is Lagerstroemia easy to grow?
Months of color, drought-tolerant, Valley-appropriate, fast-growing, easy-care — these traits are a few reasons that crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), and their many cultivars, have become one of the most widely used home landscape, commercial, parking lot, median strip, landscape trees in the Sacramento Valley. Contrary to common belief, aggressive pruning does not benefit crape myrtles. Instead, it shortens their lifespan, which should ideally span over 50 years in a landscape.This process is very natural for crape myrtles and is one of the reasons why they are so beautiful in the winter. This feature is called exfoliating bark. Crape myrtles lose their bark in the summertime to reveal smooth inner bark. It is one of the most beautiful characteristics of the plant.Crape myrtles are beautiful trees. They do not require any pruning to encourage summer blossoms, and can grow to be tall, prolific showpieces for any landscape,” said Strickland. However, with any tree, some light corrective pruning may be in order.Sunlight: Crape Myrtles need at least 6 hours of full sun daily for optimal blooming. Air circulation: A slightly elevated site improves airflow and helps prevent powdery mildew. Drainage: Well-draining soil is essential to avoid root rot and support healthy growth.In general, crape myrtles grow at a medium to fast growth rate at about 1-2 feet per year.
How much sun does lagerstroemia indica need?
Full sun is the ideal condition for this shrub, meaning it should get at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. The common crape myrtle grows in a wide range of soils from slightly alkaline to acidic. It prefers moist, well- drained sites but has some drought tolerance. Find a Sunny Location First, you need to decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation for the best blooms. Six hours of sun a day is the minimum requirement. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage.Once established, crepe myrtles are drought-resistant and withstand Southern climates if they are watered at least every other week. Newly planted trees, especially if you wait to plant a tree in bloom so you are certain about what color you’re getting, need much more water.If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming.When establishing your plant, water it several times a week. For Crepe Myrtle Shrubs, this establishment period typically lasts several months to a year depending on the size of the shrub. Well-established plants need to be watered weekly. This is especially important in hot and dry climates.One of the easiest and most common ways to propagate a crepe myrtle is from semi-hardwood cuttings taken during the growing season.
Is Lagerstroemia indica fast growing?
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Lipan’ – Fuchsia Pink Crepe Myrtle | Fast-Growing, Drought-Tolerant. On the other hand, there is no reason to aggressively prune a crape myrtle, if the tree is healthy and not causing any issues. Crape myrtles are beautiful trees. They do not require any pruning to encourage summer blossoms, and can grow to be tall, prolific showpieces for any landscape,” said Strickland.Crape myrtles are very drought resistant once established. FERTILIZING: Apply a slow release fertilizer with a 3-1-1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous and potassium. Ex- amples include a 12-4-4 or 18-6-6 fertilizer, applied in late Winter or early Spring as leaves emerge, and again in July.