This genus belongs to the Lythraceae family and consists of about 5.3 species of mostly small evergreen or deciduous trees, occurring naturally from tropical Asia to Australia. A few species are widely bred, with many cultivars. They generally have simple variable leaves that are usually opposite, and capsular fruits. Their showy flowers have crinkled petals, somewhat crepelike in texture, and appear in differing shades of pink, mauve, and white. Lagerstroemia species make superb landscape subjects, valuable not only for their brightly colored flowers, but also for their attractive, often peeling, smooth bark, and colored autumn foliage. Some species have provided timber for furniture, bridges, and railway sleepers.
CULTIVATION
These trees are mostly easy to grow, and can cope with a wide variety of soils. They grow best in full sun in well-drained soil and are tolerant of light frosts. Propagate from seed or half-hardened cuttings in summer, or from hardwood cuttings in early winter.
Top Tip
Powdery mildew can be a problem with Lagestroemia species, but cultivars such as the modern American hybrid L. 'Natchez' offer better disease resistance.
CULTIVATION
These trees are mostly easy to grow, and can cope with a wide variety of soils. They grow best in full sun in well-drained soil and are tolerant of light frosts. Propagate from seed or half-hardened cuttings in summer, or from hardwood cuttings in early winter.
Top Tip
Powdery mildew can be a problem with Lagestroemia species, but cultivars such as the modern American hybrid L. 'Natchez' offer better disease resistance.
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