Lilacs of the south – a beautiful exotic flower for an unmistakable, Mediterranean flair

Lilacs of the South – this beautiful, exotic name has rightly earned it. Its Latin name is Lagerstroemia indica and it is otherwise simply called Lagerströmie or crepe myrtle. There is no relationship here with the conventional lilac, although the flower panicles look quite similar because of their lushness. This Mediterranean beauty originally comes from the Far East and is not hardy in most regions in this country. But you can look after them in the bucket on terraces and balconies without any problems. So you can enjoy an unmistakable holiday feeling in your own home from July to October. Below you will find all the important care tips for your bearing flow.

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The plant needs a lot of sun and warmth in order to develop its splendid flower panicles and to display them in all their might. That is why it is ideal to place them in a sheltered, sunny place on the balcony, terrace or in the garden. This is where she feels most comfortable and will bring you plenty of flowers.
In mild wine-growing regions, the lilacs of the south can even be planted directly into the ground and suitable frost protection can be ensured in winter. In the southern European countries, the perennial shrub is considered absolutely hardy because it can withstand lower temperatures and it doesn’t mind milder temperatures in winter.

The perfect soil for your lilac should be loamy, but rich in humus and nutrients. Good permeability is quite important, because the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. However, it is important that the soil is always well moistened, otherwise the lilac will shed its flowers early and will only stand there barely.

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From April to September, the camp flow may be enriched with liquid fertilizer every 14 days, especially when it is growing in the pot. This provides sufficient nutrients and gives the plant more strength to optimally develop its green leaves and beautiful flowers in red, pink or white. The lilacs usually bloom from July to October. If the weather stays cooler in summer, the flowering period is shortened and often starts later.

What about wintering?

As already mentioned, the camp currents are considered hardy in southern countries. In this country, however, only a few regions are suitable for planting in the ground. It is therefore advisable to plant the plant in the tub and then place it outside in the garden, on the balcony or terrace from May to October-November. The winter quarters should be around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius and can be a bit darker, because the camp flow remains completely without leaves during the rest phase. Fertilizing is completely turned off and you can only rarely water so that the soil in the bucket does not dry out.

Because the flowers are mainly created on newer shoots, the camp flow should be cut back once a year. The best time is when the plant has completely shed its leaves. Pruning at the beginning of March is very cheap. After that, the new shoots can grow and soon adorn themselves with flowers. As a rule of thumb: cut back about two-thirds of the long shoots. This applies to both the central and the side shoots. Don’t worry, they will grow back quickly enough, with renewed strength and energy.

Increasing is very easy with the camp flow

The best way to propagate the lilacs of the south is by cuttings. These are put in potting soil in spring or in summer and placed in a warm, moist place. You can add some sand to the soil to ensure optimal drainage. Propagation by seeds is also possible. You should just make sure that these are only fresh, otherwise they will not germinate.

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Pests and diseases of the lilacs of the south

Although the plant is relatively resilient to disease and pests, some of them are troublesome. In particular, the annoying fungal disease powdery mildew can afflict the camp stream and cause damage. To prevent this, it is advisable to leave out the leaves of the plant when watering, if possible. The location itself also plays an important role. If this is sunny and airy, powdery mildew should develop much less often. Aphids could also attack southern lilacs if excessively watered. If the infestation is not too large, however, one can proceed in a very environmentally friendly manner and destroy the pests with natural means. Sometimes spider mites can become problematic even during the winter. Fortunately, these can also be eliminated with a few simple tips and tricks.

If the care is right and the plant feels good, it will give you magnificent flowers and a heavenly scent every year from July to late October. You feel like you are on vacation on the balcony or in your own garden.