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Botanical name: Lagerstroemia ‘Plum Magic’
This stunning ornamental shrub produces volumes of fuchsia toned frilly blooms in summer; green foliage emerges plum purple, then changes to a deep gray-green; captivating focal point for the garden or border.
Other names: Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle
| Hardiness zone | 6a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | fuchsia |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 10 feet |
| Spread | 8 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Plum Magic Crapemyrtle is clothed in stunning panicles of fuchsia frilly flowers at the ends of the branches from mid summer to early fall. It has attractive dark green foliage which emerges plum purple in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn red in fall. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Plum Magic Crapemyrtle is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Plum Magic Crapemyrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, Mass Planting, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use, Container Planting
Plum Magic Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.
Plum Magic Crapemyrtle makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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