Lagerstroemia Indiya Charms Violet d-été Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia Indiya Charms Violet d’été - Indiya Charms Collection
Lagerstroemia Indiya Charms Violet d’été (Summer Violet) is an early flowering deciduous violet purple crape myrtle from the new Indiya Charms collection that’s been bred to suit the Northern European climate. Crape myrtles have been underused in British gardens for years, but they are an excellent choice of flowering shrub if you have a sunny spot.

Violet d’été has crinkled ‘crape paper’ violet flowers that start appearing in June, a month before traditional crape myrtles. The intense violet flowers hang in medium-sized panicles packed with individual flower heads that attract bees and butterflies. Lagerstroemia Indian Charms Summer Violet is a bushy, upright shrub with dark green leaves. When young the foliage shoots are red and in autumn they turn orange before falling with frosts to reveal textured, peeling bark. 

Height and Spread of Indiya Charms Violet d’été
Lagerstroemia Violet d’été is a compact, middle-sized shrub that will reach between 2-4 metres in height and spread to 2.5 metres over 10-20 years. 
They can be kept smaller with an annual prune if necessary.

How Hardy Is Indiya Charms Violet d’été
Lagerstroemia Summer Violet is hardy down to -15 once established but needs plenty of sunshine to produce flowers. Young plants under 3-4 years old should be given frost protection if harsh conditions are forecast.

How To Use Indiya Charms Violet d’été
Lagerstroemia Indiya Charms Violet d’été brings lots of intense summer colour and attracts plenty of pollinators. In autumn the foliage turns a cheerful orange and winter interest is brought by its structure and peeling bark. Plant yours at the back of a mixed border with others from the Indiya Charms range or as a striking single specimen tree in the lawn.  Lagerstroemia Violet d’été stops traffic in a sunny front garden and will grow in large well-watered containers on a bare patio too. 

How To Care For Indiya Charms Violet d’été
The Indiya Charms series is bred for our European climate but they still flower best in full sun.
Against a warm wall or fence in fertile well-drained soil of any pH is best for crape myrtles and there’s no need to prune unless you want to restrict its size. Cut out broken or crossed branches in late winter or early spring and remove 1/3rd of branch length if size is a consideration. Mulch Lagerstroemia Summer Violet well in spring, water well, and protect from frost until it’s established.