Gardeners love it: this plant blooms for 90 days and requires little care

Long-blooming beauty on the terrace

One of the biggest advantages of crepe myrtle is its extremely long flowering period. In a sufficiently warm, sunny location, the flowers can appear as early as late July and last until September or October.

The inflorescence of the plant at first glance resembles the common lilac: long, dense panicles appear at the ends of the shoots. Depending on the variety, the color of the flowers can range from pale pink to bright pink and red, to white and purple.

It does not lose its decorative value even after flowering: in autumn, the leaves turn yellow, orange, or reddish, so the plant begins its second spectacular season.

Likes a sunny, warm location

One of the most important conditions for abundant flowering is plenty of sunlight and sustained warmth. Therefore, choose a location for the milk myrtle that receives long hours of direct sunlight each day.

A terrace or a warm, south-facing balcony would be ideal. However, it is important to ensure adequate air circulation around the plant, as the leaves and flowers benefit from drying out quickly after rain or watering.

• The soil should be rich in nutrients, humus, and at the same time have good water permeability.
• Stagnant water can be particularly problematic, so it is a good idea to use a planting medium with a loose texture.
• The airiness of the soil can be improved by adding sand, gravel or clay granules, for example.

It is better to water regularly than too little.

Silk myrtle does not like its soil to dry out completely. Therefore, during the summer, we regularly check the moisture content of the soil in the pot!

Prolonged drought can have a particularly bad effect on flowering:

The plant may even drop its flower buds at this time. However, overwatering should also be avoided, as good drainage is essential for the roots.

Flowering can be even more abundant with nutrient solutions

During the growing season, the milk myrtle requires regular nutrient supplementation. According to the professional recommendation used as a source, it can be fed with a good quality, liquid pot plant nutrient solution every 7–14 days from March to September. A longer-acting fertilizer can also be used.

You don't have to be afraid of pruning either.

Crepe myrtle flowers appear on new shoots, so pruning is an important part of its care.

It is worth pruning the plant back after the leaves fall, so it can develop strong new shoots in the spring.

Regular pruning not only helps keep the plant's shape in check: strong new shoots can also result in more abundant flowering the following season.

When should it be transplanted?

• Younger, potted, silk myrtles should be transplanted into a larger pot about once a year, preferably in early spring when the new growth period begins.
• For older, larger specimens, repotting less frequently, approximately every two to three years, may be sufficient.

Winter is the biggest challenge

Although Lagerstroemia indica may be more frost-tolerant under certain circumstances, in Hungary, potted specimens must be winterized.

Due to the plant's sensitivity to cold, it is advisable to move it to a frost-free location before winter sets in.

Since it is deciduous, it does not require strong light in winter. During the dormant period, a cool place of around 5 °C may be suitable, for example an unheated but frost-protected conservatory. The earth ball should not be completely dried out during this period, but winter watering should be significantly reduced.