Crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia: 7 varieties with white flowers

The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Summer Snow’ is a crape myrtle variety from the ‘Indiya Charms’ ® series. This series is characterised by its early, abundant flowering, even as far north as the Loire. ‘Summer Snow’ blooms from the start of July, with fluffy clusters of white flowers reminiscent of lilac. It is valued, like other members of its species, for its decorative bark and the autumn colour of its foliage. Compact in size, it is ideal for small gardens, but it can also be grown in a pot on a terrace.

This shrub has a bushy habit and can reach 2 m in height and 3.5 m in spread at maturity. Its flowers, white with silvery reflections, are borne on pink-tinged pedicels. The new foliage is bronze-red, then green, before turning orange and copper in autumn. The smooth bark is grey-striped, brown-red, peeling in patches of cinnamon, burnt red, old rose and cream.

‘Summer Snow’ blends well with other plants in borders or flowering hedges, but stands out when grown as a specimen in front of the house. It can be paired with perennials such as Nepeta, sages or Asters. In a pot on the terrace, it offers a striking visual display.

Lagerstroemia indica ‘White Chocolate’ is a remarkable variety of crape myrtle, noted for its dark foliage and summer white flowering. Its young leaves, ranging from burgundy to chocolate brown, mature to bronze-green in summer, contrasting with the white flower clusters and heralding the autumn display. This compact shrub, disease-resistant, flowers from July to September, lending itself well to decorating small gardens or terraces.

With a bushy habit, it reaches about 2.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter. Its summer flowering, lasting two months, is characterised by dense inflorescences of white flowers with dark purple-brown pedicels and golden-yellow stamens. The deciduous foliage, resistant to powdery mildew, turns yellow, orange and purple in autumn. The bark of the shrub peels away in coloured patches, adding to its appeal.

Lagerstroemia is an ideal choice for Southwest gardens, adapting better to humid and hot climates. In autumn, its colourful foliage complements cotinus and fusains for a flamboyant effect. Its size makes it perfectly suited to container cultivation, with a grey-silver Stachys byzantina at its base, which will emphasise the merits of its bark and dark foliage.

The Lagerstroemia indica Black Solitaire, renamed Black Diamond ‘Pure White’ is a variety of crape myrtle in the Black Diamond series. It stands out for its pure white flowers, contrasting with foliage that is almost black in summer. Resistant to powdery mildew, frosts and moderate drought, this shrub is ideal for small gardens and container culture.

Developed in Texas, ‘Pure White’ reaches a maximum height of 3 m, characterised by rapid growth and an ability to adapt to any draining soil. Hardy to zone 7b, it thrives in zone 8 and warmer. It has a bushy habit and can reach up to 2 m in spread. Its flowering, from late July to September, features dense inflorescences of white flowers on dark purple-brown pedicels. The foliage, deciduous and leathery, retains its dark burgundy-chocolate-purple colour before turning purple in autumn. The bark, peeling in coloured plates, adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Pair this Lagerstroemia with perennials that flower at the same time, such as echinaceas or rudbeckias. These plants add a complementary splash of colour and attract pollinators, creating a dynamic and living garden. Add grasses such as Miscanthus or Pennisetum for a texture contrast with the delicate flowers of the Lagerstroemia. Their soft habit and airy inflorescences add lightness and movement to the garden.

Discoverthe Lagerstroemia indica ‘Pixie White’, a charming crape myrtle perfect for terraces and small gardens. Its compact size does not prevent it from offering a magnificent summer flowering in white clusters from July. Its smooth, colourful bark, together with its autumn colours, make it an ornamental bush all year round. It prefers warm spots, but enjoys a touch of coolness in summer for optimal flowering.

Originating from China and Japan, this slow-growing bush does not exceed 1.50 m in height, with a bushy habit and slightly arching branches. Its dark-green leaves turn bronze in autumn. In July, it becomes covered with delicate white flowers, and in winter, its bark takes on grey, cinnamon and pale pink.

We recommend planting it in spring, in a sunny and sheltered spot, on rich, well-drained soil. An application of compost and winter protection with leaf litter are recommended, especially in cold regions. To create a contrast of textures and colours, pair Lagerstroemia ‘Pixie White’ with evergreen-leaved shrubs such as laurustinus or Photinia. These plants provide an evergreen backdrop year-round, highlighting the flowering and the bark of Lagerstroemia.

The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Virgin’ (‘Milabla’) is a stunning variety from the ‘With Love’® range, renowned for its compact, frost-hardy crape myrtles. Perfect for pots and small gardens, ‘Virgin’ stands out for its abundant clusters of white flowers, evoking a blanket of snow in summer. This shrub, heat-loving yet appreciating a touch of coolness in summer, is easy to grow, even north of the Loire.

Created in Italy, ‘Virgin’ forms part of a hybrid selection favouring compactness, early flowering, abundant flowering and hardiness. It grows to around 70 cm tall by 40 cm wide. Its flowering, from July to September, attracts bees and butterflies. The flowers, in immaculate white, are borne on slender panicles. The foliage, bronze in spring then deep green, takes on autumn colours before dropping. Its bark peels in colourful patches, also decorative.

The crape myrtle ‘Virgin’ lends itself to various uses, as a specimen plant, in masses of low shrubs, flowering hedges or among perennials. In autumn, it pairs beautifully with the Asters. In a pot on the terrace, it provides a striking display during the summer.

The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Nivea’ is a vigorous and robust crape myrtle, renowned for its brilliant white flowering late in the summer. This old variety can grow into a small tree or a large bush, ideal for a flowering hedge. When pruned with care, it becomes a superb subject for containers on terraces or balconies, appealing with its flamboyant autumn foliage and decorative bark. Preferring sun and warmth, it thrives particularly in southern regions.

‘Nivea’, an old cultivar, inherits the vigour and ease of cultivation from its Chinese forebears. It reaches up to 3 m in height and 2 m in spread. Its flowering, often starting in August, is characterised by large panicles of white flowers with yellow stamens. The deciduous foliage, transitioning from reddish to light green, takes ochre to red hues in autumn. The bark of older specimens is particularly attractive, peeling in coloured patches.

‘Nivea’ fits perfectly as a specimen plant, in a shrub border or a flowering hedge. For a varied hedge, pair it with Kolkwitzia amabilis, lilac, buddleias and Japanese quince.

The Lagerstroemia indica (x) fauriei ‘Acoma’, from the ‘Summer Charm’ series, is a crape myrtle hybrid selected for its vigor, abundant flowering and resistance to powdery mildew. Medium-sized, it bears dazzling white panicles in summer, enhanced by purplish foliage. Valued for its decorative bark and autumn colours, it is ideal as a specimen plant in a small garden or in a pot on the patio.

‘Acoma’ is the product of an American hybridization programme initiated by Dr Donald Egolf, combining the genes of Lagerstroemia indica, native to China, and L. fauriei, native to Korea and Japan, for improved hardiness and disease resistance. This multi-stemmed small tree reaches about 3.5 m in height and 3 m in spread when grown in the ground, with fairly rapid growth. Its flowering, from July–August to September–October, consists of large panicles of white flowers with pink-violet buds and golden stamens. The foliage, transitioning from bronze-reddish to olive green and then burgundy, becomes yellow and carmine red in autumn. The bark, peeling away in colourful patches, adds to its appeal.

The Lagerstroemia ‘Acoma’, suited to colder zones than the Southwest, is perfect as a specimen plant in a shrub border or a flowering hedge. A groundcover comprising roses, grey Artemisia and red carnations will highlight its flowering and bark.