Lagerstroemia 'PURPLE MAGIC' crape myrtle
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
1-2m
usual width
1,5-2,5m
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
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:
Purple Magic is a showy crepe myrtle variety of compact (now dwarf) habit. It makes bright purple flowers with violet hues arranged in upright panicles, and appear, according to the quality of summer, from August to September in C.E. climate. The leaves are deciduous and glossy, coral red in spring, bright green in summer, and turn orange and red in autumn.Purple Magic grows into a dense, dome-shaped, upright shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, so typical for most crepe myrtles, and is best left alone, growing naturally. Mature branches and trunks produce a beautiful pattern similar to that on planetrees, with several shades of brown, green, and beige.
The variety was developed by American botanist and breeder Josh Kardos, who, between 2007 and 2013, spent most of his time propagating and breeding of new varieties of shrubs, especially crepe myrtles, at the Plant Introductions, Inc. in Watkinsville, Georgia, before becoming a faculty member in the science faculty at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. During his six years at the breeding station, he developed many unique plants, out of which a total of 32 were granted plant patents and 13 of them were crepe myrtles. They sure were among his favorites. In European garden centres we are mostly familiar with ENDURING SUMMER® RED variety.
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). Purple Magic has not yet been tested under all possible conditions but so far proved above ground (wood) hardy to about -18 °C, and root-hardy to about -24 °C.
Last update: 26-10-2023
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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.
