Lagerstroemia 'Piilag B5' ENDURING SUMMER® RED crepe myrtle - STANDARD TREE
size/type
small tree,small tree
usual height
2-3m
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
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
6b (down to -21°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Crepe myrtle is a flowering shrub or a 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 purple flowers composed in large racemes, like those on lilacs hence its other name summer lilac. Flowers are produced from late August in C.E. climate 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.This is a tree form (standard tree) of crepe myrtle. Plants are either grafted on l. indica rootstock or grown from cuttings of the variety. Remember that the trunk height you see in a nursery will remain unchanged in future, i.e., if you buy a half-standard with a trunk height of one meter it will not grow taller, only thicken. Therefore, if you are looking for a taller trunk in maturity you have to buy a tree with a trunk of the desired height now. The canopy of ENDURING SUMMER® RED crepe myrtle is dense and upright.
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. Hardiness of standard trees varies with rootstocks: plants grafted on l. indica withstand -17 °C (USDA zone 7), but trees produced from cuttings or grafted on self are hardy to about -21 °C (USDA zone 6).
Last update: 01-02-2023
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