Lagerstroemia 'PURPLE MAGIC'

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.

Purple Magic is a showy crepe myrtle variety of compact (now dwarf) habit. It makes bright purple flowers with violet hues arranged in upright panicles, and appear, according to the quality of summer, from August to September in C.E. climate. The leaves are deciduous and glossy, coral red in spring, bright green in summer, and turn orange and red in autumn.

Purple Magic grows into a dense, dome-shaped, upright shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, so typical for most crepe myrtles, and is best left alone, growing naturally. Mature branches and trunks produce a beautiful pattern similar to that on planetrees, with several shades of brown, green, and beige.

The variety was developed by American botanist and breeder Josh Kardos, who, between 2007 and 2013, spent most of his time propagating and breeding of new varieties of shrubs, especially crepe myrtles, at the Plant Introductions, Inc. in Watkinsville, Georgia, before becoming a faculty member in the science faculty at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. During his six years at the breeding station, he developed many unique plants, out of which a total of 32 were granted plant patents and 13 of them were crepe myrtles. They sure were among his favorites. In European garden centres we are mostly familiar with ENDURING SUMMER^® RED variety.

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 Magic has not yet been tested under all possible conditions but so far proved above ground (wood) hardy to about -18 °C, and root-hardy to about -24 °C.

Last update: 26-10-2023