Lagerstroemia indica Mauve - Crape Myrtle

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Mauve', also called Indian Lilac, is an Asian bush with magnificent flowers with frilled petals, mauve pink.

The Mauve Summer Lilac belongs to the Lythraceae family. It is not native to India as its name suggests, but to China and Japan. This bush measures between 2 and 3.50 m (6 ft. 7 in. and 11 ft. 6 in.) in height at ripeness. It will constitute a key charming plant in your garden (isolated, in a floriferous hedge) by gratifying you with a daily spectacle.

From spring, this bush drapes itself in tough, ovate, dark green leaves measuring 8 cm (3.1 in.) long, which turn bronze in the autumn. At the end of summer, when few trees bloom, it transforms into a sublime and intense bouquet composed of pyramidal inflorescences called thyrsus as fine as crepe paper. Finally, it reveals in winter a bark smooth marbled with mouse grey, cinnamon and light pink peeling off in strips.

We advise you to plant this bush in the spring, when frosts are no longer to be feared, in a sunny and sheltered situation, in a rich, fresh, well-drained soil and if possible, non-limestone. It will appreciate a contribution of compost and a thick layer of dead leaves, especially during the first two winters in cold climates.

It is necessary to prune very short the floriferous branches in February-March leaving only 4 to 6 buds to balance its branches and stimulate the growth of future flower-bearing branches. If necessary, remove the weak twigs and poorly positioned branches.

NB: Karl Von Linne named this tree to pay tribute to his friend Magnus Von Lagestroem (1696 – 1759), who had sent it to him from India for identification. Originally, this bush was used to decorate Chinese temples. We would like to point out that this bush produces fruits that have a narcotic action if ingested.