Variety traits

Winter hardiness of Lagerstroemia indica

Lagerstroemia indica L.

The winter hardiness of Lagerstroemia is determined by the ability of mature plants to withstand temperatures down to -15...-18 °C. At lower temperatures, shoot dieback may occur, which critically delays flowering, as it takes place on the current year's growth.

In the reference 9 varieties crop Crape myrtle, where this is mentioned in the description.

For Lagerstroemia indica, winter hardiness is primarily assessed according to USDA hardiness zones (typically 7–9). The threshold temperatures for mature specimens are -15...-18 °C; when exposed to more severe frosts down to -25 °C, the plant often freezes back to the root collar level.

Lagerstroemia's ability to regenerate from the roots allows the plant to survive damage; however, freezing of the aerial parts delays the growing and flowering season, which, in regions with a short growing season, results in a lack of budding. A critical factor in winter hardiness is the maturation of shoots: excessive irrigation or nitrogen fertilization at the end of the season prevents tissue lignification, drastically reducing the plant's frost resistance.

Agrotechnical preparation includes controlling soil moisture before freezing to prevent winter desiccation. In regions with climates below zone 7, the use of covering materials or shifting to container cultivation is mandatory, as this allows for the control of the root system's temperature regime.

General information about the subject — on the page Winter hardiness.

Sources8

Varieties of Crape myrtle mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.