Lilac of the South Lagerstroemia indica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lagerstroemia chinensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- la-ger-STRO-me-a IN-di-ka
- Description
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Common crape myrtle is a deciduous, erect, multi-trunked, tree or shrub in the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). It is native to the Philippines, Japan and central Himalayas to southern China and Indochina. The genus name honors Magnus von Lagerstroem, who was a Swedish botanist and director of the Swedish East Indies Company. The species epithet references its native origin in India. The common name is derived from the crepe paper-like petals and the bark and foliage features that are similar to the myrtle plant.
It requires full sun and moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate occasionally wet or dry soil once established. Place it in a sheltered location protected from winter winds and mulch the soil to protect the roots. It resists deer, drought and pollution. Propagate it by seed or stem cutting. A rapid grower, common crape myrtle can reach 6 to 30 feet high and wide, depending upon the variety selected. Severe pruning or topping of the crape myrtle should not be needed to control the plant size. If pruning is required to thin the tree or shrub, it is best done in late winter or spring before the new growth on which blossoms appear begins.
Common crape myrtle blooms from July to September with numerous and showy flowers. The flower color of the wild-type species is rose to red, but there are cultivars offering a variety of colors. The leaves are light green with tinges of red initially that become dark green by summer and colorful in the fall. Another highlight is its exfoliating bark.
The common crape myrtle is used as a specimen in a variety of ways including a lawn, recreational play area, and butterfly, children’s, cottage or pollinator gardens. Dwarf varieties may be grown in a container. Groups of crape myrtle are commonly used as a hedge, privacy screen or street tree landscape.
Quick ID Hints:
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Twigs have decurrent ridges.
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Has short petioles.
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Leaves are opposite, alternate, or in whorls of three.
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Flowers are 6-parted, ruffled, and have clawed petals.
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Flowers with style-like staminodes.
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Inflorescence is a terminal panicle.
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Fruit is a dehiscent capsule, six-valved and brown.
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Bark exfoliates, exposing hues of brown to gray.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scales and flea beetles are problems for the crape myrtle. The crape myrtle bark scale is particularly an issue in western Tennessee and is best treated by the use of pesticides. Scrub brushes may also be used to remove scales. Potential diseases include leaf spots and powdery mildew. In hardiness zones 5 to 6, the tree or shrub is susceptible to winter injury, especially any top growth. Be aware that the flowers can stain walkways or the paint of your car. Avoid planting near a walkway or driveway.
"The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common crape myrtle pests and diseases."
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
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- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Flower Bonanza Garden Paths & Walkways Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Functional Foundation Landscape
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Acoma'
14 to 16 feet tall, white flowers - 'Baton Rouge'
Miniature (2 - 3 feet), weeping variety in the Dixie Series, bright red flowers. - 'Biloxi'
25 feet tall, pink flowers, mildew resistant - 'Black Diamond Red Hot'
- 'Carolina Beauty'
- 'Centennial Spirit'
- 'Cherokee'
red flowers, 10-12 ft. tall - 'Dallas Red'
very cold hardy, large panicles of deep red flowers, 20 ft. tall - 'Delta Bush'
Miniature (12 - 18 inches), weeping variety in Dixie Series, pink flowers. - 'Firecracker'
- 'Glendora White'
White flowers - 'Hopi'
Mildew resistant, 11 feet tall, 10 feet wide. - 'Houston'
Miniature (18 to 24 inches), weeping, Dixie Series, red flowers. - Infinitini®
- 'Monow'
Dwarf (3 to 4 feet), white flowers. - 'Muskogee'
hybrid, lavender flowers, long bloomer, tan-medium brown bark, mildew resistance, over 20 ft. tall - 'Natchez'
hybrid, 30 feet tall, pure white flowers, resistant to aphids - 'Near East'
Shrub (10 to 18 inches) with shell pink flowers. - 'Peppermint Lace'
deep pink flowers with white edges, candy striped appearance, 20 ft. tall - 'Petite Plum'
dwarf - 'Pocomoke'
- 'Potomac'
Large shrub (11 feet wide and tall), pink flowers. - 'Powhatan'
purple flowers, 14-20 ft. tall - 'Seminole'
Medium size shrub (8 feet tall) with pink flowers. - 'Splash of Pink'
Medium size shrub (6 to 10 feet) with multi-colored flowers. - 'Tightwad Red'
- 'Tuscarora'
hybrid, coral pink flowers, 16 ft. tall - 'Velma's Royal Delight'
Five foot by 4 foot shrub with magenta pink flowers. - 'Victor'
Compact, 3 to 6 feet tall, with dark red flowers. - 'Violet Filli'
Winter hardy to zone 4, dwarf (1 to 1.5 feet), bright violet flowers. - 'Watermelon Red'
Spreading shrub, 6 to 10 feet tall, bright red flowers. - 'Whit I'
Tree, 15 feet tall, raspberry pink flowers. - 'Whit II'
Tree, 20 feet high, cherry red flowers. - 'Whit III'
Sold as Pink Velour, 6 to 10 feet high, leathery leaves, magenta pink flowers.
'Whit IV'
- 'Whit VII'
Sold as Siren Red, 6 to 10 feet tall, bright red flowers. - 'Whit VIII'
Sold as Rhapsody in Pink, repeat blooms of pink flowers through summer. - 'Zuni'
Mildew resistant, 11 feet tall, lavender flowers.
dark purple, blooms July to fall, mildew resistant, 12 ft. tall
brilliant cherry-red flowers - 'Acoma'
- 'Acoma', 'Baton Rouge', 'Biloxi', 'Black Diamond Red Hot', 'Carolina Beauty', 'Catawba', 'Centennial Spirit', 'Cherokee', 'Dallas Red', 'Delta Bush', 'Firecracker', 'Glendora White', 'Hopi', 'Houston', Infinitini®, 'Monow', 'Muskogee', 'Natchez', 'Near East', 'Peppermint Lace', 'Petite Plum', 'Pocomoke', 'Potomac', 'Powhatan', 'Seminole', 'Splash of Pink', 'Tightwad Red', 'Tuscarora', 'Velma's Royal Delight', 'Victor', 'Violet Filli', 'Watermelon Red', 'Whit I', 'Whit II', 'Whit III', 'Whit IV', 'Whit VII', 'Whit VIII', 'Zuni'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Acoma'
14 to 16 feet tall, white flowers - 'Baton Rouge'
Miniature (2 - 3 feet), weeping variety in the Dixie Series, bright red flowers. - 'Biloxi'
25 feet tall, pink flowers, mildew resistant - 'Black Diamond Red Hot'
- 'Carolina Beauty'
- 'Centennial Spirit'
- 'Cherokee'
red flowers, 10-12 ft. tall - 'Dallas Red'
very cold hardy, large panicles of deep red flowers, 20 ft. tall - 'Delta Bush'
Miniature (12 - 18 inches), weeping variety in Dixie Series, pink flowers. - 'Firecracker'
- 'Glendora White'
White flowers - 'Hopi'
Mildew resistant, 11 feet tall, 10 feet wide. - 'Houston'
Miniature (18 to 24 inches), weeping, Dixie Series, red flowers. - Infinitini®
- 'Monow'
Dwarf (3 to 4 feet), white flowers. - 'Muskogee'
hybrid, lavender flowers, long bloomer, tan-medium brown bark, mildew resistance, over 20 ft. tall - 'Natchez'
hybrid, 30 feet tall, pure white flowers, resistant to aphids - 'Near East'
Shrub (10 to 18 inches) with shell pink flowers. - 'Peppermint Lace'
deep pink flowers with white edges, candy striped appearance, 20 ft. tall - 'Petite Plum'
dwarf - 'Pocomoke'
- 'Potomac'
Large shrub (11 feet wide and tall), pink flowers. - 'Powhatan'
purple flowers, 14-20 ft. tall - 'Seminole'
Medium size shrub (8 feet tall) with pink flowers. - 'Splash of Pink'
Medium size shrub (6 to 10 feet) with multi-colored flowers. - 'Tightwad Red'
- 'Tuscarora'
hybrid, coral pink flowers, 16 ft. tall - 'Velma's Royal Delight'
Five foot by 4 foot shrub with magenta pink flowers. - 'Victor'
Compact, 3 to 6 feet tall, with dark red flowers. - 'Violet Filli'
Winter hardy to zone 4, dwarf (1 to 1.5 feet), bright violet flowers. - 'Watermelon Red'
Spreading shrub, 6 to 10 feet tall, bright red flowers. - 'Whit I'
Tree, 15 feet tall, raspberry pink flowers. - 'Whit II'
Tree, 20 feet high, cherry red flowers. - 'Whit III'
Sold as Pink Velour, 6 to 10 feet high, leathery leaves, magenta pink flowers.
'Whit IV'
- 'Whit VII'
Sold as Siren Red, 6 to 10 feet tall, bright red flowers. - 'Whit VIII'
Sold as Rhapsody in Pink, repeat blooms of pink flowers through summer. - 'Zuni'
Mildew resistant, 11 feet tall, lavender flowers.
dark purple, blooms July to fall, mildew resistant, 12 ft. tall
brilliant cherry-red flowers - 'Acoma'
- 'Acoma', 'Baton Rouge', 'Biloxi', 'Black Diamond Red Hot', 'Carolina Beauty', 'Catawba', 'Centennial Spirit', 'Cherokee', 'Dallas Red', 'Delta Bush', 'Firecracker', 'Glendora White', 'Hopi', 'Houston', Infinitini®, 'Monow', 'Muskogee', 'Natchez', 'Near East', 'Peppermint Lace', 'Petite Plum', 'Pocomoke', 'Potomac', 'Powhatan', 'Seminole', 'Splash of Pink', 'Tightwad Red', 'Tuscarora', 'Velma's Royal Delight', 'Victor', 'Violet Filli', 'Watermelon Red', 'Whit I', 'Whit II', 'Whit III', 'Whit IV', 'Whit VII', 'Whit VIII', 'Zuni'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lagerstroemia
- Species:
- indica
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The crape myrtle has been used for medical disorders, and environmentally as animal food, and fuel.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Himalaya to S. China and Indo-China, Philippines, Japan
- Distribution:
- Native: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Introduced: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and the United States--Al, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NC, OH, SC, TX, UT, and VA.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This plant produces 6-valved dehiscent capsules that are brown and 1/2" wide. They persist through winter, and the disc-shaped seeds are 3/8" in diameter and winged. The capsules split open and release the seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are numerous, irregular, and 1"-1 1/2" wide. They are anthocyanin-pigmented. They commonly have 6 petals, are clawed, and cristate. The petals look like crepe paper. There are 6 staminodes, similar to the style. They grow on a terminal panicle on the current year's growth and are rose to red on the species. The panicles measure 6 to 18 inches long. Cultivated varieties have blooms of either white, pink, red, or purple. Flowering occurs from July to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are initially green with red tinges, and by summer, they appear dark green, smooth, and leathery with entire margins. They measure 1 to 2.75 inches long and 0.75 to 1.5 inches wide. They are simple, and opposite, and the upper leaves appear alternate to sub-opposite or in whorls of three. They are oblong to elliptic to obovate, acute to obtuse, broadly cuneate, and have stipules. They are sessile or have a very short petiole. Leaves are yellow, orange, or red in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin, smooth, pale brown to gray, peeling, and exfoliating.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green to brown, slender, often almost squarish, with prominent wings. Older stems are smooth and exfoliating.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
