Lagerstroemia 'Piilag B5' ENDURING SUMMER® RED crepe myrtle
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
0,5-1,5m
usual width
1-1,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
August-September
location
full sun
soil type
acidic (peaty) to neutral
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°C)
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 consequent hybrids.
Description of the plant:
ENDURING SUMMER® is an American crepe myrtle series bred by Joshua H.Kardos. The plants boast compact, rounded habit and excellent resistance to diseases. ENDURING SUMMER® RED produces vibrant red flowers composed in large racemes, similar to those on lilac hence its other name summer lilac. Flowers are produced from late August in C.E. and continue blooming for 4-6 weeks. Deciduous leaves are 3-4 cm long, elliptic to obovate, very glossy, mid green in summer, turning burgundy red, scarlet red, and orange in autumn. Older plants reveal cinnamon red flaking-off bark which soon shows a mosaic like that on plane trees. It grows slowly into a densely branched shrub about 1.5m tall and wide. Patented as PP25925 in 2015.Crepe myrtle needs little care. They need full sun with zero shade during the day. Pruning will secure profuse flowering: cut back last year's growth to about a third of its original size. Do so in spring after danger of frosts. But if you are looking for a large plant do not prune at all, just remove bottom branches so it can soon reveal its beautiful bark. Grow it in well-drained soil that should be kept moist before it gets fully established. Some sources say that plants do well in slightly acidic soil but as far as it is not water-logged they will grow in any fertile soil. However, acid soil enhances autumn foliage colour. It needs heavy mulching in winter and some mulch in summer to retain moisture. Overfertilizing will cause excessive growth but no flowers. It proved top hardy to -21°C (USDA zone 6b) and root hardy to -25°C (USDA zone 6a).
Last update: 17-08-2020
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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.
