Crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia: 7 hardy varieties for a flowering garden
To install in your garden or on your terrace, even north of the Loire.
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Lagerstroemia or crape myrtle is a bush with spectacular flowering, featuring vibrant colours, Indian pink, bright red, or softer shades from mauve to immaculate white. It flowers in summer, from July to September, then in autumn its foliage takes on vibrant purple to orange-red hues. In winter, this deciduous tree displays satin, marbled bark in soft tones and reveals its habit, a little twisted, full of charm. Thanks to its hardiness, which allows it to withstand temperatures down to -15°C, it can be grown in all our regions. If you live in the north of France, you can also enjoy its flowering and shrub-like beauty. Discover a selection of hardy Lagerstroemia for the north to embellish your garden whatever the season.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Dynamite' - crape myrtle
The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Dynamite – crape myrtle charms with its striking cherry-red flowering. This shrub with a spreading, rounded habit grows to a height of 4 metres and a width of 3 metres. Between July and September, long panicles of flowers with undulating petals appear. The buds are crimson and the flowers bloom in cherry red. The small ovate leaves are leathery and change colour, shifting from red to glossy dark green, then to yellow or red in autumn. Its smooth bark is beige, striated with brown-red and shows peeling in coloured patches, cinnamon or old rose and red. Hardy to -15°C, it enjoys sun and warmth.
In a border, plant at the foot of this crape myrtle with striking colours a carpet of evergreen candytuft, whose whiteness will enhance the cherry-red of its flowering. You can also add clumps of oregano and thyme for an aromatic and fragrant touch.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Bergerac' — crape myrtle
The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Bergerac – Crape Myrtle’ offers a summer flowering that ranges from red to magenta pink, highlighted by clusters of yellow stamens. It grows to 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide at maturity, with a bushy and irregular habit. Flowering occurs from July to October and develops as large, dense panicles with a crepe-like texture. Its deciduous leaves are glossy dark green and turn yellow or red in autumn depending on the climate in your region. Hardy down to -15°C, it is moderately vigorous and best suited to southern France. In colder regions, place it in a sunny spot.
Plant it in the garden or on a terrace and pair it with plants in vibrant colours such as campanula or asters.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Violet d'Eté indyvio' - purple crape myrtle
Another reliable option is the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Violet d’Eté indyvio’ – violet crape myrtle is a large crape myrtle, reaching 4.5 metres at maturity and 3 metres of spread. Also hardy to -15°C, it bears a flowering, equally, spectacular, purple, providing a contrast with the golden-yellow stamens. The flowers appear from July to October, transitioning from indigo to deep purple. This tree has other merits: dark, matte leaves, red new shoots and very decorative bark.
This deciduous tree will look especially striking planted as a solitary specimen on a lawn or in a large container on a terrace. You can pair it with a blue Aubrieta carpet and alyssums to highlight its lovely colour and provide a floral display.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Black Solitaire (Black Diamond) Pure White' - crape myrtle
With its dark foliage and snow-white flowers, the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Black Solitaire (Black Diamond) Pure White’ – crape myrtle is a shrub of great originality. It reaches 2.5 metres in height at maturity with a 2-metre spread. Its snow-white flowering provides a striking contrast with its almost-black foliage. It flowers from July to September, producing inflorescences with undulating edges. Also hardy to -15°C, it is valued for its resistance to frost, drought, and powdery mildew, the white mould. It is also fast-growing while its size remains moderate. It is easy to grow in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.
To highlight its colours, plant at its feet a carpet of Stachys byzantina and silver baskets.
Lagerstroemia 'Summer Snow' - crape myrtle
The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Neige d’Été’ is a variety of crape myrtle in the INDIYA CHARMS® series, which offers abundant flowering even north of the Loire. This compact shrub produces magnificent clusters of fluffy white flowers, reminiscent of lilac. Its flowering, from July to September, is characterised by dense inflorescences with undulate petals resembling crepe. The foliage, leathery and deciduous, displays colours that change with the season, while the striated bark provides decorative appeal all year round. This bushy shrub reaches about 2 metres in height and 3.5 metres in width. Suited to South West gardens, the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Neige d’Été’ can also be grown in cooler areas. Preferring warmth, it appreciates a little summer coolness for optimal flowering. It lends itself well to planting as a specimen plant or in a pot on a terrace.
It integrates perfectly into a shrub border, a flowering hedge or sits in a pot on the terrace, pairing well with Nepeta, Salvia or Asters. In autumn, it pairs with Cotinus and deciduous spindles. To highlight its flowering and its bark, a groundcover consisting of thyme, oregano and silver baskets is recommended.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Black Solitaire (Black Diamond) Crimson Red' - crape myrtle
Another blend of original and surprising colours, with the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Black Solitaire (Black Diamond) Crimson Red’ — crape myrtle which produces vivid red flowers on dark foliage. The flowering occurs from July to September in fluffy clusters of carmine red flowers. The foliage, burgundy chocolate-purple, is almost black and displays purplish reflections in autumn, before dropping. The tree, of modest stature, reaches 2.5 metres tall at maturity and 2 metres wide. It can be grown in a garden or in a pot. It is also valued for its decorative bark. Hardy to -15°C, it tolerates fairly dry soils and grows in well-drained soil in full sun.
Grow it as a solitary specimen, on a terrace or in a garden. You can also pair it with other crape myrtles for spectacular flowering.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Petite Canaille mauve' - mauve crape myrtle
Here is a small bush that will delight lovers of pastel colours and potted plants. The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Petite Canaille mauve’ – crape myrtle reaches a height of 1.5 m and a width of 0.9 m, and offers mauve flowering from July to October. The dark green foliage may take on yellow or red tones in autumn. Hardy to -15°C, it is valued for its dense, compact habit, making it ideal for growing in a container or pot on a terrace.
In addition to this selection, discover our full range of hardy Lagerstroemia, as well as our guide to planting and cultivation of Lagerstroemia.
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