Lagerstroemia indica Gourmet Red Red Wine - Crape myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'Lagvar' Gourmet Red Red Wine is a variety of Crape Myrtle which is particularly attractive not only for the colour of its young foliage, but also and especially for its very long flowering period. This quite vigorous Lagerstroemia forms a dense bush, with very decorative, reddish spring shoots. The foliage then gradually turns to dark green, forming a beautiful setting for the flowering, which often begins as early as June. Clusters of crimson red flowers bloom until early autumn, eye-catching in the garden. A superb sun-loving bush that can withstand temperatures down to -15°C at peak.

Lagerstroemia, commonly called Crape Myrtle or Summer Lilac, belongs to the botanical Lythraceae family, which includes familiar representatives such as Pomegranate (Punica granatum) or in colder areas, Purple Loosestrife, with its rather spectacular long spikes. The Lagerstroemia genus comprises between thirty and forty different species, including both trees and bushes, with deciduous or evergreen foliage, mostly native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia and Australia. The most commonly cultivated species in our latitudes is Lagerstroemia indica, which, despite its species name suggesting an Indian origin, actually comes from China and Japan. It grows naturally as a bush or small tree that can reach 6 to 8 metres in height. This deciduous plant is characterised by compound foliage of small ovate leaves, which take on warm autumn hues ranging from golden yellow to flaming red, before falling with the first cold weather. It is relatively hardy, withstanding temperatures down to -15°C to -20°C, however, its abundant and prolonged flowering only fully thrives in climates with long, hot, and sunny summers. This is precisely why it is so appreciated in southern regions, where it stands out as one of the star bushes of summer. For several decades, this bush has been the subject of intensive horticultural selection work, aiming to develop ever more decorative varieties. These cultivars are distinguished not only by the richness of their flowering (both in terms of colour and duration), but also by the hue of their foliage or their habit. Among these attractive novelties is 'Gourmet Red Red Wine', a fairly vigorous variety, reaching 2.50 m in height with a spread of 1.50 to 1.80 m. It is therefore a Lagerstroemia for open ground rather than for container cultivation, while there are Crape Myrtles for pots with much more suitable dimensions. This one forms dense and tight vegetation, which, from spring until flowering, displays a fine reddish colour. This intense hue then evolves into a classic dark green, which perfectly highlights the summer inflorescences. These often appear earlier than in other varieties, as early as June, in the form of clusters of crinkled flowers, reminiscent of the texture of crepe paper, hence its English nickname of Crape Myrtle. The intense crimson red flowers renew themselves until September, or even October depending on weather conditions. They are so abundant that they almost completely hide the foliage, offering a magnificent spectacle. In autumn, when the deciduous foliage falls, it reveals ornamental bark on mature specimens, which exfoliates in plates, revealing shades of beige, grey, or pinkish brown, thus extending the ornamental interest of the bush even in winter.

Crape Myrtle 'Gourmet Red Red Wine' establishes itself as one of the star plants of summer, with its unrestrained flowering, capable of rivalling even Hydrangeas. Lagerstroemia can be showcased as a standalone feature, due to its stately appearance and almost permanent appeal, but it can also play a key role in a shrub border with flowering spread over time. For a harmonious and evolving composition, you could for example pair it with plants like Chimonanthus praecox, an underappreciated plant despite its small but abundant, extremely fragrant yellow flowering that blooms in mid-winter. For spring, a beautiful Juneberry in the background will structure your border while brightening it with a cloud of small white flowers, which will evolve in autumn into decorative and edible fruits, while the foliage blazes with warm colours. Much more compact, Flowering Currants (Ribes) can dress the front of your scene, followed later in the season by Deutzias with their romantic flowers at the end of spring.