Pride of India

Pride of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is the giant of the crepe myrtle family, carrying huge trusses of crinkled pink and purple flowers right through summer. In a warm Australian garden it reaches around 8m tall and 5m wide, well beyond the common crepe myrtles most people know. It is deciduous, so the leaves colour and drop, opening the canopy to winter sun.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers on a different scale. The trusses are larger and heavier than any garden crepe myrtle, in pink through to deep purple, held for months.
• Real shade, and quickly. It is fast growing with a canopy around 5m across, so it works as a shade tree as much as a flowering one.
• Winter sun, summer shade. The deciduous habit brings autumn colour, then bare branches that let light back into the house when you want it.
• Bees and butterflies. The open flowers are worked steadily through the warm months.

Where it works best

Feature tree. A single specimen in a front lawn or a large courtyard, where the summer flower and the winter branch structure both get seen.

Shade tree. Set it at least 4m clear of the house so the canopy can spread properly instead of needing constant reduction pruning.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees 6m apart down a long drive for a run of summer colour, in frost free districts only.

Growing Pride of India in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, and plenty of it, because flowering drops off in shade. This is a tropical, subtropical and warm temperate tree and it is frost tender, so cool temperate and frosting inland gardens should plant a common crepe myrtle instead. Heat and humidity suit it well.

Soil. Deep, free draining soil gives the best growth. Improve heavy clay with compost and plant on a slight mound. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers. Once established, water through dry spells to keep the trusses coming, and feed with a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while it is bare. Thin crossing branches and lift the canopy rather than cutting back hard, since heavy topping produces whippy growth and poorer flowers.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied as advanced stock in 100L and 200L. The 100L is a well formed young tree with a clear trunk and a starter canopy. The 200L is a larger specimen with height and branch structure already set, for a garden that needs presence straight away.

Both sizes are heavy, so have the hole dug and machinery or extra hands ready before it lands. Delivered Australia wide, advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Expect a quiet first season, then strong growth once the roots take.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Crepe myrtle care guide, covering pruning, feeding and flowering.
• Compare the smaller crepe myrtle range for cooler gardens and tighter spaces.
• Browse other flowering trees for a summer display.
• See what else is available as advanced trees.

Common questions

How is it different from a normal crepe myrtle?

Scale, mostly. It is a much bigger tree with larger leaves and heavier flower trusses, and it needs a frost free climate, where garden crepe myrtles handle cold well.

Will it flower in its first summer?

Often lightly. Advanced stock usually carries some flower on arrival, but the full display builds over two or three seasons once the roots are properly away.

Can I grow it in a cool climate?

No. It is frost tender and belongs in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. Cooler districts are far better served by the common crepe myrtles.

How much space does it need?

Plan for 8m tall and 5m wide. In practice that means at least 4m from a wall or boundary, and 6m between trees if you are planting an avenue.