Content
- Under these conditions the crepe myrtle is hardy
- Pay attention to the location needs of crepe myrtle
- The right location for year-round care in the field
- This is to be observed when wintering in the house
- Tips
Mild winter tolerates the adult crepe myrtle well
Under these conditions the crepe myrtle is hardy
Due to the impressive flowers and the distribution in the Mediterranean, crepe myrtle is often referred to as the "lilac of the south". The named after the botanical name as Lagerstroemia shrub has a variety of small flowers that look similar to the crepe paper popular in crafting.
Pay attention to the location needs of crepe myrtle
Under suitable conditions the crepe myrtle can grow up to a maximum of 5 meters. However, it is essential for a lush flowering of the plant that the Lagerstroemia gets enough light and heat. In contrast to sensitive exotic plants such as the dragon tree, the crepe myrtle does not cope in cool or even frosty temperatures. After all, crepe myrtles also grow in quite exposed locations in various regions of northern Italy. With good care, the various subspecies of Lagerstroemia can tolerate winter temperatures of up to minus 15 degrees Celsius. In the case of crepe myrtle, any fertilization should be discontinued from August so that young shoots can harden sufficiently before the winter.
The right location for year-round care in the field
In Central Europe, unfortunately, not every location is suitable for cultivating crepe myrtle outdoors. Basically well suited are mild layers such as:
However, not only the regional climate is decisive, but also the exact positioning of the circling myrtle in the garden. So you should plant crepe myrtles as possible before a natural stone wall and pay attention to a shadeless light incidence in every season. The wall directly behind the plants reflects the sunlight during the day and also releases stored solar heat to the surroundings in the evening. Thus, a location throughout the winter is significantly milder without any special effort.
This is to be observed when wintering in the house
In the more cold regions, crepe myrtles should be cultivated in the pot and protected from strong night frosts in winter. A greenhouse or a heated interior, however, are rather too warm for a crepe myrtle as winter quarters. Lagerstroemien should rather late in a relatively cool winter quarters spent and wintered out again in early spring. During the winter rest crepe myrtle need only a little water and should be fertilized again with the new release in the spring.
Tips
Since crepe myrtles shed all leaves in winter, they need no sunlight in winter quarters and can also be wintered in completely dark rooms.