Crepe Myrtle - Indian Summer
Golden sunlight
Common name: Crepe Myrtle
Botanic name: Lagerstroemia indica
Description: A deciduous, vase-shaped tree about 6-8m (18-25′) tall. It is often severely pruned and grown as a shrub 3-4m (10-12′) tall. Trusses of white, pink, mauve or purple blooms appear in late summer.
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they bloom in high summer. Native to southern and eastern Asia, they grow well in most parts of Australia, producing fabulous crepe-like flower heads in shades of pink, red, mauve, purple and white, through January and February. They also have lots to offer through the other seasons of the year, with brilliant foliage colour in autumn and attractive smooth bark when they’re leafless in winter, which creates an elegant silhouette in the garden landscape. [2]
The magnificent Indian Summer® Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) make an ideal choice as a flowering tree in the heat of Australia's mid- to late summer. Available in a multitude of flower colours, from white through to red, and in forms ranging from shrubs to trees, they also feature exfoliating bark that gives them ornamental value even during the dormant winter months. [3]
Foliage: Most varieties colour well in autumn with leaf colours ranging from bright red, deep maroon, vibrant yellow, pink and burnt orange, all on the one tree.
Bark: The bark is also beautiful, exfoliating early summer to revealing bold, gnarled, sinuate and twisted trunk in mottled colours.
Size: Dependent on variety. Range from 8m – 9m high trees to 2m – 3m high shrubs. Width is generally reflective of height. Small shrubs have a width of 1m – 2m and larger trees being 5m – 7m.
Special Comments: Crepe myrtle offers a wide selection of colours, shapes and sizes. Plants are generally very hardy and have multiple uses. Many varieties are also available as bare rooted stock in winter.
Care: Water plants regally until established. Provide well draining, fertile soil that is rich in compost. Plant in a full sun position for best results.
Flowers: Will last from 60 - 90 days depending on the cultivar. When the flower starts to age, cut it immediately below the head so that the shoots down the stem at each leaf can open and the next flower heads can develop. This can be repeated over three to four months. A light prune in autumn or winter (just to remove the finished flowers only) will result in many more flowers next summer.
Use: Plants look outstanding on mass, planted along a fence line or driveway. Crepe myrtle makes a perfect edition to backyards as a single specimen plant and is widely used in council strips and common areas.
Troubleshooting: Past varieties of crepe myrtle are known to be susceptible to powdery mildew. This has been largely corrected due to plant breeding and plant selection. Some varieties can ‘sucker’ and may require maintenance.
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