Lagerstroemia speciosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- la-ger-STROH-mee-ah spee-see-OH-suh
- Description
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Giant Crape Myrtle is a flowering, perennial, deciduous tree with large bright pink to light purple flowers. It is native to China and tropical Asia. The tree is noted for its attractive flowers in profusion in purple, lilac or pinkish-violet and for a long bloom season that lasts for many months. It is a medium-sized tree reaching about 50 to 60 feet at maturity with a symmetrical crown and a smooth bark.
Giant Crape Myrtle does best in rich, deep, alluvial loam and prefers warm, humid and moist soils. It can tolerate some standing water.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common crape myrtle pests and diseases.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Aphids and scale are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew and fungal leafspot are common disease problems. If planted in alkaline soils the leaves will show chlorosis (yellowing).
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Violet Filli'
- 'Violet Filli'
- 'Violet Filli'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Violet Filli'
- 'Violet Filli'
- 'Violet Filli'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lagerstroemia
- Species:
- speciosa
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and tropical Asia including India
- Distribution:
- Caribbean islands
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Woody capsules that start green, turn brown, and finally black. The fruits hang on to the trees.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Three inch bright pink to lavendar terminal panicles appear in early to mid-summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, deciduous, oval to elliptic with stout petiole, 3 to 6 inches long and 1 1/4 to 3 inches broad, with an acute apex.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin smooth bark peels with age and can be easily injured.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
