Plant of the Week: Crepe Myrtle

The Crepe Myrtle or the Pride of India tree is a small, beautiful, multi-stemmed tree and is our pick for the plant of the week for several reasons. If you’re looking for a pretty little tree for your home or garden, have a look at why we’ve fallen in love with the Pride of India.

• The Pride of India is a deciduous tree with leaves turning yellow, orange and red before giving, meaning the tree will be pretty all year round.

• The smooth bark is a silvery colour with flecks of pink speckled throughout the branches.

• The flowers of the Pride of India tree come in a variety of colours including white, pink, red, or purple.

• The Pride of India’s flowers bloom from mid to late summer and last for weeks at a time.

• The tree grows to 3.5m during the first 10 years but can reach 7m at full maturity; there is also a dwarf species available for potted trees that grow to be 60cm tall.

• Survives best in warm climates.

• It is a water-wise and drought-resistant plant once its roots have been established.

• The Pride of India is easily pruned and is great for smaller gardens or large pots and containers.

• The Pride of India can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid or coastal regions.

Author: Lillian Rencken