Lagerstroemia Indica Pride of India

🌸 Lagerstroemia indica (Pride of India / Crepe Myrtle)
A spectacular, long-flowering deciduous tree or large shrub, prized for its vibrant summer blooms, smooth decorative bark, and excellent heat tolerance. Ideal for adding bold seasonal colour and structure to gardens.
🌞 Sun
Full sun (6–8+ hours daily for best flowering)
💧 Water
Moderate
Water regularly when young; becomes drought tolerant once established
📏 Height
3–8 m (can be kept smaller with pruning)
↔️ Width
2–5 m
🌱 Growth
Moderate to fast growing
🌺 Features
• Showy clusters of crinkled flowers in pink, red, white, or purple
• Long flowering season (summer to early autumn)
• Attractive peeling bark with mottled texture
• Beautiful autumn leaf colour
🌿 Uses
• Feature or specimen tree
• Street or avenue planting
• Patio tree in large containers
• Screening or informal hedge (with pruning)
• Small to medium garden focal point
✂️ Care
• Prune in late winter to encourage vigorous flowering
• Feed in spring with a balanced fertilizer
• Remove spent flowers to extend blooming
• Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil
• Good air circulation helps prevent mildew
❄️ Frost
Frost hardy once established
Protect young plants from heavy frost
🌍 Indigenous
No – native to Asia
🍃 Edible
No