Lagerstroemia indica
| Lagerstroemia indica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lagerstroemia indica (common name: crepe myrtle)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[1]. Another report says to sow spring in a greenhouse[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair to good percentage[1].
Cuttings of mature wood in the winter in a frame[2].
Root cuttings 4cm long in December. High percentage[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny sheltered position[3][2]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in soils low in nutrients[2]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[4].
Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c if the wood is well ripened[3]. They require very hot and humid summers and preferably the protection of a south facing wall if they are to flower in Britain[5][6]. Plants are hardy in a very sunny position in southern England but they only flower in consistently warm summers[7]. Plants are much hardier when the wood is thoroughly ripened by the sun[8][2].
A very ornamental plant[9], there are many named varieties[2]. Flowers are produced in broad panicles on the tips of the current years growth[10]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring in order to encourage new growth[10].
Young plants grow fairly quickly and will often flower in their first year after planting out[10].
Plants do not transplant well and should be moved with a large rootball[2].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat: Open grassy places and on cliffs at low altitudes[7], also on forest edges[11].
Medicinal: The stem bark is febrifuge, stimulant and styptic[12][13].
The bark, flowers and leaves are considered to be hydrogogue and a drastic purgative[13]. A paste of the flowers is applied externally to cuts and wounds[14].
The root is astringent, detoxicant and diuretic[11][12].
A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of colds[12].
Usage: Wood - hard. A useful timber[15].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.