Michael ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Perry Blog on the Lagerstroemia Also Cal...

Some plants sound like they’ve been oversold. Flowers for six weeks. Loves sunshine. Hardy to around -20°C. Happy in a pot. Easy to prune. Bee-friendly. Hardly any pests or diseases. Come on… what’s the catch?

It’s Time to Meet Lagerstroemia

Well, according to Willem and Robert Hooftman, there isn’t one. It’s time to meet Lagerstroemia, or crepe myrtle. Most of us know it as that gorgeous flowering shrub from the holidays.

Michael ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Perry Blog on the Lagerstroemia Also Called Crepe Myrtle — *A flowering Lagerstroemia also called crepe myrtle*

You spot it dripping in blooms somewhere in France or Italy, take a photo, then assume there’s no chance it’ll survive a northern European winter. That’s exactly what Hooftman has spent the last decade proving wrong.

Modern varieties are remarkably hardy, coping with temperatures down to around -20°C, and are now being grown successfully across Northern Europe.

A Plant We Could Actually Grow at Home!

Willem first discovered Lagerstroemia at Plantarium around ten years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that gardeners really caught on.

I still remember seeing Lagerstroemia Coconut Sorbet with my own eyes, with its almost-black foliage and crisp white flowers – it completely stopped me in my tracks. Suddenly, people realized this wasn’t just a Mediterranean beauty; it was a plant we could actually grow at home.

It Loves Keeping Gardeners Guessing Before Bursting Into Life

The best bit? It’s ridiculously easy. Like a Hydrangea, it flowers on new growth, so pruning is simple. It bursts into color in August and September, just when many gardens are running out of steam, and newer compact varieties like Lagerstroemia Purple Star are perfect for patios and smaller gardens.

Michael ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Perry Blog on the Lagerstroemia Also Called Crepe Myrtle

Just don’t panic in spring – Lagerstroemia is famously late to wake up! It loves keeping gardeners guessing before bursting into life and putting on one of the best floral shows of the summer.

Michael ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Perry Blog on the Lagerstroemia Also Called Crepe Myrtle

Sometimes a plant really does live up to the hype… and this is definitely one of them.

Photos by Michael ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Perry.

FAQ

Is Lagerstroemia (crepe myrtle) really hardy enough for Northern Europe?

Yes. While it's often associated with Mediterranean gardens, modern varieties can handle temperatures down to around -20°C and are now thriving across Northern Europe, including in the Netherlands.

When does crepe myrtle bloom, and how long does it flower?

It bursts into color in August and September, giving your garden a boost of color just when many other plants are fading. Flowering can last up to six weeks.

Why hasn't my Lagerstroemia woken up in spring?

Don't worry, this is completely normal. Lagerstroemia is famously slow to leaf out in spring, so a bare plant in April or May doesn't mean it's dead. Give it time, and it will burst into growth before putting on its summer show.

How do you prune Lagerstroemia, and is it suitable for pots or small gardens?

Pruning is simple because it flowers on new growth, similar to a hydrangea, so you can cut it back without losing next season's blooms. Compact varieties like Purple Star are especially well suited to patios, containers, and smaller garden spaces.