Crape Myrtle (Tamr Henna) Tree Seeds 2g

Crape Myrtle (Tamr Henna), botanically Lagerstroemia indica, is a flowering ornamental tree of the family Lythraceae, prized enough to earn the nickname "Lilac of the South." Note this is not Henna (Lawsonia inermis): it is grown purely for beauty. Its glory is the showy, conical flower panicle, up to about 20 cm long, that opens in crisp white, soft pink, glowing red, deep purple or gentle lavender, making it a standout specimen tree, hedge or container feature.

Planting

Soak the seed in water for 24 hours, then sow about 1.6 mm deep, tamp the soil and add a light mulch. A brief cold spell of roughly 30 days helps trigger germination. Sow in spring at around 10 C. Choose a full-sun site of 6 or more hours of direct light. It tolerates clay, loam and sandy soils but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained loam. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball, set the plant no deeper than it grew, and mix amendments through the surrounding soil.

Fertilizing

Feed with a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8. For young 1-gallon plants apply 1 teaspoon monthly from March to August around the hole's edge; broadcast about 0.45 kg per 9.3 m2 of 8-8-8, or half that for higher-nitrogen blends. Feed established plants in spring, and avoid over-feeding, which cuts flowering.

Care

Water newly planted trees weekly for two months without rain; established plants are drought-tolerant but bloom better with watering in dry spells (roughly 20-25 L twice weekly in year one, easing to 50-60 L monthly by year three). Prune only in the dormant season, since flowers form on new growth. Full sun limits powdery mildew and aphids.