Lilacs of the south – the beautiful plant has rightly earned this beautiful, exotic name. Its Latin name is Lagerstromemia indica and otherwise it becomes easy Lagerstromie or also called crepe myrtle. There is no relationship here with the common lilac, although the flower panicles look quite similar due to their lushness. This Mediterranean beauty originally comes from the Far East and is not hardy in most regions of this country. However, they can be cultivated in buckets on terraces and balconies without any problems. From July to October you can enjoy a unique holiday feeling in your own home. Below you will find all the important care tips for your Lagerstromie.
Mediterranean flair with lilacs from the south
The Lagerströmie is a true sun worshiper
The plant needs a lot of sun and warmth in order to develop its magnificent flower panicles and to display them in full force. That’s why it’s best to place them in a wind-protected, sunny place on the balcony, terrace or in the garden. That’s where she feels most comfortable and will give you plenty of flowers. In mild wine-growing regions, you can even plant the lilacs of the south directly into the ground and secure suitable frost protection in winter. In the southern countries of Europe, the perennial shrub is considered to be absolutely hardy because it can tolerate lower temperatures and milder temperatures in winter do not bother it at all.
When the weather is milder, you can also plant the Lagerstromia in the garden
The perfect soil for your lilac should be loamy but rich in humus and nutrients. Good permeability is quite important because the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. However, it is important that the soil is always well moistened, otherwise the lilacs will drop their flowers prematurely and only stand there sparsely.
From April to September, the Lagerströmie likes to be enriched with liquid fertilizer every 14 days, especially when growing in pots. This provides sufficient nutrients and gives the plant more strength to optimally develop its green leaves and beautiful flowers in red, pink or white. Lilacs usually bloom from July to October. When the weather stays cooler in summer, the flowering period is shortened and often starts later.
Delicate flowers in wonderful shades of pink
Properly pruning the lilac of the south
Because the flowering decorations are mainly created on newer shoots, the Lagerströmie should be cut back once a year. The best time is when the plant has completely shed its foliage. Pruning at the beginning of March is very favorable. After that, the new shoots can grow and soon adorn themselves with flowers. As a rule of thumb: cut back about two thirds of the long shoots. This applies to both the central and side shoots. Don’t worry, they will grow back quickly enough, with new strength and energy.
Properly cut shoots bring a lot of flowering in late summer
What about hibernation?
As already mentioned, the Lagerstromie is considered hardy in southern countries. In this country, however, only a few regions are suitable for planting in the ground. It is therefore advisable to plant the plant in a bucket and then place it outside in the garden, on the balcony or terrace from May to October-November. The winter quarters should be around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius and can be a little darker, because the lagerstromie remains completely leafless during the dormant phase. Fertilizers are completely turned off and you can only rarely water so that the soil in the bucket does not dry out.
Planted in pots, the lilac of the south adorns entrances and terraces
Propagating is easy with the Lagerstromie
The best way to propagate the lilac of the south is through cuttings. These are placed in potting soil in spring or summer and placed in a warm, moist place. You can add some sand to the soil to ensure optimal drainage. Propagation by seeds is also possible. You should only make sure that these are only fresh, otherwise they will not germinate.
The tender roots of the Lagerstromie soon form
Pests and diseases in southern lilacs
Although the plant is relatively resistant to diseases and pests, some of them bother it. Above all, the annoying fungal disease mildew can afflict the Lagerstromie and cause damage. To prevent this, it is advisable to omit the leaves of the plant when watering if possible. The location itself also plays an important role. If it’s sunny and airy, powdery mildew should be far less common. Aphids could also invade southern lilacs with excessive watering. On the other hand, if the infestation is not too large, you can proceed in a very environmentally friendly way and destroy the pests with natural means. Sometimes spider mites could become a problem even during the winter. Fortunately, these can also be eliminated with a few simple tips and tricks.
Take care of your southern lilacs with love and patience!
If the care is right and the plant feels good, it will give you magnificent flowers and a heavenly scent every year from July until late October. So you feel like you’re on vacation even on the balcony or in your own garden.
Enjoy the exotic beauty of the Lagerstromie!
There are also varieties that are grown as trees
You can choose the color of the flowers according to your own taste
Proper pruning ensures fresh blooms in the summer
