Lagerstroemia indica 'Rubra Magnifica' - Crape Myrtle

The Crape Myrtle variety ‘Rubra’ (Lagerstroemia indica) opens its upright flower panicles in late summer and autumn. The flowers have an intense pink to red colour that fades slightly during the blossom. Young leaves in spring are reddish, the smooth bark comes off in big flakes and gives the trunk an interesting look.

General information to Crape Myrtle:
As soon as one passes the Alps on the way south, the alleys are lined with rows of Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). The small tree or multi-stemmed bush is a late summer floral highlight. In our country, the blossom with its characteristically crimpy petals usually starts in August or September (depending on the weather) with up to 20 cm high panicles. The Asian decidous trees (they presumably originate from China and not from India) tolerate moderate frost. They can even be planted in the garden in a stony-loamy soil. If the shoot tips die off in a harsh winter this is completely unproblematical as the branches should anyway be pruned radically each year in Mach/ April: the flowers appear at the tip of one year old shoots/ shoots grown in the same year.

Quality: mediterranean classic with opulent blossom in autumn; attractive trunk with flaking bark; easy to care & modest
Use: in pots from March to November outside on balcony, terrace and in the garden - during winter indoors; all-year in an unheated greenhouse; planted in the garden (with winter protection)