Lagerstroemia indica 'PETITE PINK' crape myrtle
size/type
medium-sized shrub,small shrub
usual height
0,5-1,5m
usual width
0,5-1,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
August-October
location
full sun
soil type
acidic (peaty) to neutral
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Crepe myrtle is a flowering shrub or small tree from China. It was first introduced to the USA and the UK in the 18th century. The original plant lagerstroemia indica is too tender and not too pretty so breeders were working on further hybridization and the most attractive varieties available now are believed to be results of crossing with l.speciosa and l.fauriei. Far more important news for us is the fact that among those finished plants were selected others that survived lower temperatures than what was common in the areas of natural habitat so we have a few myrtles that can grow even in our climate. Some were selections, other further hybrids.
Description of the plant:
Petite Pink crepe myrtle belongs to the Petite series which means 'small' in French and that's exactly what all of its varieties are. Petite Pink has bright pink flowers composed in smaller racemes compared to tall varieties. But they appear in such abundance that they almost completely cover the plant in full bloom, same as spring azaleas. In Central European climate, it blooms from mid-August and continues for as long as it has buds, sometimes for up to 2 months.Deciduous leaves are broadly oval, very glossy, deep green in summer and copper red in autumn. They are moderately resistant to powdery mildew and need to be treated against it during changeable weather. It grows slowly into a compact bush around one meter in height and width. In spring cut it back severely to a solid framework and let the entire bush regrow and thicken.
Crepe myrtles need little care. They need full sun with zero shade during the day. Grow them in well-drained soil that should be kept moist before the plant is fully established. If cultivated in acidic soil the plant will make fabulous colour play of autumn foliage. Crape myrtle needs heavy mulching in winter and some mulch in summer to retain moisture. Fertilize it in spring to encourage growth (nitrogen-based fertilizers), and in summer to encourage flowering (phosphorus-based fertilizers).
Compact and dwarf crepe myrtles have one advantage over tall-growing varieties: thanks to recommended back pruning their limited hardiness of wood down to only some -18 °C is not a problem even after slightly colder winters since the roots can take -23 °C if properly mulched and the plant readily regenerates from basal framework or even roots like a perennial.
Last update: 17-11-2022
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
