Lagerstroemia indica Margaux - Crape Myrtle

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Margaux' is a late-flowering Indian Lilac with deep red flowers from August to September. This variety forms a bush with a medium-sized growth and dense vegetation, which can become a small tree if patiently and meticulously pruned. Its deciduous, shiny green foliage takes on warm hues in autumn. Eager for sun and heat, this variety thrives best in southern regions. With multiple advantages, Indian Lilacs are among the most beautiful summer-flowering bushes. As such, they deserve a prominent place in the garden or on the terrace.

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Margaux' belongs to the Lythraceae family. The Lagerstroemia indica, from which it originates, is native to China. The cultivar 'Margaux' was selected in 2002 at the Demartis nursery in Dordogne, France. This bush, with a medium and dense growth, reaches a height of 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) at maturity, with a similar spread. Its flowering generally begins in mid-August and extends until September. The flowers are characterised by slender pedicels, each bearing five undulating-edged petals that make up this flower. The flowers, with a texture reminiscent of crepe, are gathered in abundant, large and dense panicles at the ends of the branches of the year. In 'Margaux', the deep red flower buds open into flowers punctuated with golden yellow stamens. The foliage, tough and deciduous, is a shiny dark green. It comprises small ovate leaves, which take on pretty orange and purple hues in autumn, depending on the climate. Lastly, its bark beautiful is truly stunning, smooth and striped with beige and brown-red, peeling off in coloured patches (cinnamon, muted red, old rose, cream).

Indian Lilacs are the pride of gardens, a small tree that needs to be acclimated to colder areas by carefully choosing its location, as its hardiness and vigour allow. Planted alone, near the house, you can fully enjoy its abundance. It will make a good impression in a shrub bed, a flowering hedge, or emerging from a mound of perennials. Create a mixed bed with Campanula pyramidalis, Salvia sclarea, Aster laevis. In autumn, it is accompanied by asters as colourful as itself. In a large pot on the terrace, it puts on a show while the summer blooms fade.

NB: Karl Von Linné named this tree in honour of his friend Magnus Von Lageström (1696 - 1759), who had sent it to him from India for identification. Originally, this tree was used to decorate Chinese temples. We would like to point out that this tree produces fruits with a narcotic effect if ingested.