Lagerstroemia

The genus Lagerstroemia (Lagerstroemia) unites about fifty species of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, but only Lagerstroemia indica (Lagerstroemia indica), also called Indian lilac, is widely grown. It is an ornamental shrub, rarely a deciduous tree, with a spherical crown and an erect branched trunk with a characteristic smooth bark of light cream or pinkish-gray color. Shoots are curved with elliptical whole-edged leaves, sessile or short-stemmed, light green in color. In autumn, the leaves turn creamy red. At the height of summer (July) and until September, inflorescences are formed-panicles 20-30 cm long, consisting of flowers with six corrugated petals and many protruding stamens. The color of flowers, depending on the variety, can be different: from light pink to lilac, purple or dark purple, and during the day the intensity of color changes: from lighter in the morning to darkening in the hottest hours. There are many garden forms and varieties of this ornamental long-flowering plant, which differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in the splendor, appearance and resistance to oidium. There is also a single species that is occasionally grown. This is a beautiful lagerstroemia (L. speciosa) with characteristic thinner bright green leaves and purplish-red flowers.

The genus Lagerstroemia (Lagerstroemia) unites about fifty species of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, but only Lagerstroemia indica (Lagerstroemia indica), also called Indian lilac, is widely grown. It is an ornamental shrub, rarely a deciduous tree, with a spherical crown and an erect branched trunk with a characteristic smooth bark of light cream or pinkish-gray color. Shoots are curved with elliptical whole-edged leaves, sessile or short-stemmed, light green in color. In autumn, the leaves turn creamy red.

At the height of summer (July) and until September, inflorescences are formed-panicles 20-30 cm long, consisting of flowers with six corrugated petals and many protruding stamens. The color of flowers, depending on the variety, can be different: from light pink to lilac, purple or dark purple, and during the day the intensity of color changes: from lighter in the morning to darkening in the hottest hours.

There are many garden forms and varieties of this ornamental long-flowering plant, which differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in the splendor, appearance and resistance to oidium.

There is also a single species that is occasionally grown. This is a beautiful lagerstroemia (L. speciosa) with characteristic thinner bright green leaves and purplish-red flowers.

Cultivation

Lagerstroemia is quite easy to grow even in the city due to its high resistance to diseases and environmental factors. This is a garden plant, but in recent years dwarf varieties have been bred, which can be grown in potted tubs for 4-5 years and only then planted in the garden. Flowers are formed in lagerstroemia on the shoots of the current year, so in late winter and early spring, to stimulate branching, it is recommended to cut the branches of the previous year, leaving 1/3 of their length.

Lagerstroemia is quite easy to grow even in the city due to its high resistance to diseases and environmental factors. This is a garden plant, but in recent years dwarf varieties have been bred, which can be grown in potted tubs for 4-5 years and only then planted in the garden. Flowers are formed in lagerstroemia on the shoots of the current year, so in late winter and early spring, to stimulate branching, it is recommended to cut the branches of the previous year, leaving 1/3 of their length.

Location

Lagerstroemia prefers open sun, but tolerates partial shading. In cold climates, the plant is planted in a place protected from winds.

Temperature

Lagerstroemia can withstand both fairly low air temperatures in winter and elevated in summer. For dwarf varieties grown outdoors in tubs and pots, it is recommended to mulch the soil to protect the root system from the cold.

Lagerstroemia can withstand both fairly low air temperatures in winter and elevated in summer.

For dwarf varieties grown outdoors in tubs and pots, it is recommended to mulch the soil to protect the root system from the cold.

Watering

It is important only for young plants, especially in summer.

Care

It is important for both trees and shrubs to give the desired crown shape when the plant is 1-2 years old. Trees are pruned at the top if you want first-order branches to develop. Later, remove branches that have developed in turn from this point - the place of pruning. The shoots of shrubby plants should be constantly pruned by 20-30 cm to promote good branching.

Reproduction

It is carried out by lignified cuttings. They are taken in August from a non-flowering branch and planted to take root in a mixture of sand and peat in equal parts. After rooting, young plants are placed immediately on a permanent planting site in spring, in a clay-rich, fertile soil- rich in organic matter, however, poorer soil is also suitable. Propagate Lagerstroemia and seeds.

Diseases

For Lagerstroemia, pests do not pose a problem due to the fact that its wood has a special hardness and invulnerability - so much so that it is even used in shipbuilding, as well as for the production of furniture as an alternative to mahogany. In cool climates, oidium (powdery mildew of grapes) may appear in the form of whitish spots on the leaves, in this case, treatment with fungicides is necessary.

For Lagerstroemia, pests do not pose a problem due to the fact that its wood has a special hardness and invulnerability - so much so that it is even used in shipbuilding, as well as for the production of furniture as an alternative to mahogany.

In cool climates, oidium (powdery mildew of grapes) may appear in the form of whitish spots on the leaves, in this case, treatment with fungicides is necessary.

Acquisition

The best time to buy and immediately plant Lagerstroemia in a permanent place in the garden is the beginning of spring, when the plants start to grow. Choose specimens that are not too large, they are, by the way, cheaper, and they have fewer problems when transplanting.