Lagerstroemia indica 'Hoch1065' 'PURPLE STAR'

Crepe myrtle is a flowering shrub or small tree from China. It was first introduced to the USA and the UK in the 18th century. The original plant lagerstroemia indica is too tender and not too pretty so breeders were working on further hybridization and the most attractive varieties available now are believed to be results of crossing with l.speciosa and l.fauriei. Far more important news for us is the fact that among those finished plants were selected others that survived lower temperatures than what was common in the areas of natural habitat so we have a few myrtles that can grow even in our climate. Some were selections, other consequent hybrids.

Hochberg is a plant nursery from Israel. Since their climate is best suited for heat-loving shrubs and trees, no wonder they are an important grower of crepe myrtles. After years of propagating successful varieties of others, they began their own breeding of l. indica (not hybrids) with great results.

PURPLE STAR is an amazing crepe myrtle variety introduced in 2020 with rich purple violet flowers composed in short, upright panicles. They are non-scented and appear, according to the quality of summer, from August to September in C.E. climate. The leaves are deciduous, dark green and glossy, with mahogany red hues when young and orange and red in autumn. It forms upright shrubs or small trees with dense canopies. PURPLE STAR is protected by these patents: PP33178 (USA – 2021) and EU 64768 (Europe – 2023).

Crepe myrtles naturally form V-shaped shrubs or multi-stemmed trees. You can leave them to their own devices or train them into a spectacular multistems: when your plant reaches a height of around two meters you can start removing lateral branches from the lower parts to shape it into an elegant multi-stemmed tree. Mature trunks produce a beautiful pattern similar to that on planetrees, with several shades of brown, green, and beige. When the trees shed leaves and trunks become bare the display of these coloured trunks of crepe myrtles is usually the best.

Crepe myrtles need little care. They need full sun with zero shade during the day. Grow them in well-drained soil that should be kept moist before the plant is fully established. If cultivated in acidic soil the plant will make fabulous colour play of autumn foliage. Crape myrtle needs heavy mulching in winter and some mulch in summer to retain moisture. Fertilize it in spring to encourage growth (nitrogen-based fertilizers), and in summer to encourage flowering (phosphorus-based fertilizers). PURPLE STAR is claimed to be very wood-hardy to about -28 °C, and yet a little more root-hardy.

Last update: 21-09-2023