Lagerstroemia indica Jeanne Desmartis - Crape Myrtle

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Jeanne Demartis' is an Indian Lilac with abundant summer flowering of a beautiful deep pink, from mid-July to mid-August. During hot summers, it is not uncommon to see it offer a second flowering. This variety forms a bushy and compact bush, well branched. Its deciduous foliage, shiny green, colours from the beginning of autumn with warm shades. Eager for sun and heat, this variety will thrive better in warmer climates. Indian lilacs are among the most beautiful summer-flowering shrubs. As such, they deserve a place of choice in the garden or on the terrace.

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Jeanne Demartis' belongs to the Lythraceae family. Lagerstroemia indica, from which it originates, is native to China. The cultivar 'Jeanne Demartis' was selected in 1973 at the Demartis nursery in Dordogne. This vigorous and well-branched bush forms a tuft of 1.5 to 2 m (4 ft 11 in - 6 ft 7 in) in height at maturity, with a diameter of about 2 m (6 ft 7 in). Its growth is quite fast. Its flowering generally starts in July and lasts until mid-August. The flowers are characterised by fine pedicels, each bearing five undulate-edged petals that make up this flower. The flowers, whose texture resembles that of crepe, are gathered in large and dense panicles at the end of the branches of the year. In 'Jeanne Demartis', the flowering is a deep and bright pink. The foliage, leathery and deciduous, is red and becomes shiny dark green. It is composed of small oval leaves, which sometimes take on pretty yellow or red hues in autumn, depending on the climate. Finally, and to finish beautifully, its bark is of great beauty, smooth, beige streaked with brown-red, peeling off in coloured patches (cinnamon, faded red, old pink, cream).

Indian Lilacs are small trees widely known for being a source of pride for gardens in warmer climates. They do best in warm, humid weather instead of dry and windy areas. If you carefully choose the right location, they can be acclimatised in colder regions. Indian Lilacs are hardy and vigorous and can make a great impression when planted near the house. They can create a beautiful flowering display in a shrub bed or hedge or when emerging from a mound of perennials. You can also create a beautiful bed of these trees by planting them alongside Campanula pyramidalis, Salvia sclarea, and Aster laevis. During autumn, Indian Lilacs produce a colourful display that's just as impressive. They can also add a stunning touch to any large pot on the terrace, especially as summer flowering slows down.

Note that the tree was named by Karl Von Linné in honour of his friend Magnus Von Lagestroem (1696-1759), who had sent it from India for identification. Originally, the tree served as a decoration in Chinese temples. However, it is important to note that its fruits have a narcotic effect if consumed.