Lagerstroemia indica Lilac Grand Sud - Crape Myrtle

The Lagerstroemia indica 'Lilac Grand Sud', a product of Minier research, is a recent variety of Indian Lilac, endowed with a very beautiful bluish-mauve flowering, a rare colour in this plant. This large bush charms with its spectacular and abundant summer flowering, composed of beautiful clusters, but also by its foliage which takes on beautiful shades in autumn before falling. Indian Lilacs are also appreciated for their ornamental, smooth bark, that is richly coloured all year round. These bushes love heat, but appreciate a little coolness in summer to support their flowering. This plant will make a sensation isolated in a small garden or in a nice pot on the terrace.

Lagerstroemia indica 'Lilac Grand Sud' 'Minla 18', recently introduced to the market, remains little diffused in commerce. It belongs to the Lythraceae family, like the Lagerstroemia indica, from which it originates. The latter is native to China. This bush has a bushy and ramified habit from the base, with a rounded crown, slightly spread out. It will reach on average 3.20m (10 ft 6 in) in height at ripeness, with a diameter of 2.20m. Its growth is quite rapid. Flowering begins in the month of July and will continue until September. The large inflorescences are composed of fine pedicels each carrying five very undulate petals, whose texture recalls that of crepe. They are gathered in large, dense panicles, at the end of the year's branches.

In 'Lilac Grand Sud', the buds are wine-lees, then they widely bloom in lilac pink becoming quickly turning to mauve. The foliage, leathery and deciduous, is born bronze-red, then becomes dark green and shiny. It is composed of small ovate leaves, which often take on pretty orange or coppery shades in autumn, depending on the climate. Finally, and to end in beauty, its bark is of all beauty, smooth, beige striated with grey, brown-red, peeling off in coloured plates (cinnamon, faded red, old pink, cream).

Indian Lilacs are the glory of south-west facing gardens. It deserves to be acclimatised in colder areas, and needs a carefully chosen location. Hardiness and vigourous,  if planted in an isolated spot, near the house, you will be able to fully enjoy this plant's generosity. It will look good in a bush bed, as a flowering hedge, or emerging from a mound of perennials. Compose a bed like a bouquet, with Nepeta, Salvia sclarea or jamensis, Aster laevis. In autumn, this colourful plant accompanies the cotinus and deciduous spindles. Placed in a large pot on the terrace, this plant puts on a show while the summer flowerings are flagging. A tricolour plant tapestry ground cover, that comprises a weaving of thyme, oregano and silver basket will enhance the Summer 'Lilac Grand Sud'. A weaving of thyme, oregano, and silver basket will dress the base of its trunk, highlighting the beauty of its bark and reflecting its beautiful flowering.

Karl Von Linne named this tree in honour of his friend Magnus Von Lagestroem (1696 – 1759), who had sent it to him from India for identification. Originally, this tree was used to decorate Chinese temples. We would like to point out that this tree produces fruits that have a narcotic action if ingested.