Lagerstroemia, commonly referred to as 'Lilac of the South', is one of the most beautiful flowering trees that can be successfully grown in Poland. It can take the form of a tree or a shrub - it depends entirely on your preferences and pruning. Lagerstroemias are considered one of the most beautiful plants in the world. Do you already know which variety will appear in your garden?

Lagerstroemia "Lilac of the South"

Lagerstroemia owes its popularity mainly to the fact that it can flower continuously for 120 days - from July to October. And it blooms simply fabulously. The single, 5-petalled flowers are gathered in showy panicles, reaching up to 20 cm. The leaves of the southern lilac are equally impressive, turning yellow in autumn. Lagerstroemias are further distinguished by their spreading, spherical and rather widely spaced crowns. Their tree bark is quite distinctive and peels throughout the year. The plant is easily recognisable by its characteristic fluted trunk.

The most popular varieties of lagerstroemia

The entire Lagerstroemia family has about 50 species, of which Lagerstroemia Indica is the most popular in our country and comes in many colour versions. Among the popular varieties, you can find lagerstroemia with flowers:

• purple: Lagerstroemia Purpurea.

• white: Lagerstroemia Petite Snow, Lagerstroemia Nivea.

• pink: Lagerstroemia Petite Pink.

• red: Lagerstroemia Petite Red, Lagerstroemia Red Imperator.

• violet: Lagerstroemia Petite Orchid.

Lagerstroemia how fast is it growing?

The plant grows up to 4-5 m in Polish climatic conditions, dwarf varieties reaching up to 2 m are also available. Lagerstroemia grows quite rapidly. Importantly, young seedlings of the plant are already flowering. As a result, you don't have to wait several years to enjoy the sight of beautiful flowers.

Lagerstroemia when to plant into the ground?

The best time to start growing lagerstroemeria is in spring. It takes time for the plant to acclimatise to its new location. However, we recommend that the plant is not planted into the ground before 15 May, as late spring frosts can damage it. In order for the planting process of the lagerstroemia to go well, it is important to maintain a suitable distance from other saplings. The space between the trees should be 3 to 4 m.

Lagerstroemia how to grow?

Growing lagerstroemeria is not particularly difficult. In the beginning, the plant requires careful care, but in a relatively short time you will see the results. To enjoy its beauty, it is important to remember that it is native to warmer regions of the world and to provide the plant with a few important conditions.

✔️ position for the lagerstroemia

The southern lager is a thermophilic tree, so the growing position should be in strong sunlight. In addition, the place where the lagerstroemia grows must be secluded and sheltered from the wind (e.g. by a building wall, a hedge of evergreens or shielding mats).

✔️ substrate

A fertile, humus, slightly moist, but necessarily permeable soil should be used for lagerstem cultivation. Excess water in the substrate can result in frostbite of the roots in winter. A mixture of all-purpose flower soil with a fine addition of sand or perlite is a good choice. When choosing a substrate, remember to avoid cheap 'market' soil, which is of poor quality and often full of weeds and pathogens. On heavier, less permeable soils, drainage should be made before planting, e.g. with expanded clay.

✔️ watering and fertilising

Young plants and flowering plants should be watered regularly. In winter, watering should be kept to a minimum. During the growing season, lagerstroemeria should be fed with a suitable fertiliser. Preparations such as Mediterranean plant fertiliser, balcony plant fertiliser and flowering plant fertiliser work well.

✔️ pruning

Lagerstroemia tolerates pruning well. If you bought a seedling in spring and it does not look showy, you therefore have no reason to worry. This is because Lagerstroemias are pruned quite specifically by us. This is done in order to make them grow faster, flower more magnificently and colour their panicle-like inflorescences better. Resistance to pruning is an important feature of the lagerstroemia, so that you can shape it into a bonsai tree, both in the garden and on the balcony or terrace.

Lagerstroemia why is it not flowering?

In order to avoid the disappointment that a lagerstroemeria, for example, does not bloom as magnificently as in the photos or has frozen over, you should follow a few rules. First of all, you need to know that one of the most important steps in caring for this plant is to provide it with frost cover. For the first few seasons, it is best to grow it in a container or pot, which you will move to a cool room for the winter. Also limit watering during this time. Older specimens are more hardy and even if some of the shoots freeze, the plant recovers quite quickly. To enjoy lagerstroemeria's lush flowering, don't forget the right position for the plant either - let the sun shine on it, but keep the wind out.

Useful of Lagerstroemeria indica

Lagerstroemia is a versatile plant. This is because it can be planted both in gardens and in boxes or pots on terraces and balconies. It is perfect as a plant for cities. In gardens, it looks impressive singly. But not only that - it also gains beauty in a larger group. Indian lagerstroemeria can be grown as a solitary, i.e. an exposed, independent plant in the garden, but also with other ornamental species. In shrub-tree compositions, it is worth combining it with ornamental species in spring, as it lacks ornamental value for most of this time of year without the south.