Lagerstroemia
( lah - ger - STROE - mee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Crape Myrtle, these trees need full sun and moderate water to perform well. They are great for areas with hot summers, and have showy summertime flowers in a variety of colors. Fall foliage is also a sight to behold in most species, and the bark is commonly light and beautiful. There are many varieties to choose from.
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Lagerstroemia Species and Varietals
The best growing zones for Crape Myrtle vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Lagerstroemia fauriei (Japanese Crape Myrtle) This tree, best in zones 7-10, 12-14 and 18-21, is native to Japan and reaches 20-30 feet tall and just as wide. Habit is upright with outward-arching branches. Leaves are light green and turn yellow in fall. Flowers are white and bark is gray and smooth, flaking away to reveal cinnamon underneath. Resistant to mildew. Not a widely grown species, but the parent of many common hybrids. |
Lagerstroemia Hybrid Varieties
These trees grow well in zones 7-10, 12-14, 18-21, H1 and H2, and are crosses between Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei. These selections have been bred for mildew resistance and hardiness, and can grow as shrubs or be trained to grow as smal trees.
These trees grow well in zones 7-10, 12-14, 18-21, H1 and H2, and are crosses between Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei. These selections have been bred for mildew resistance and hardiness, and can grow as shrubs or be trained to grow as smal trees.
'Acoma'
To 10 feet tall and 11 feet wide, with pendulous branches and white flowers. Dark red fall foliage. |
'Arapaho'
20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with cranberry-red blooms and new growth, and reddish-purple fall color. |
'Hopi'
This variety reaches 8 feet by 10 feet and medium-pink blooms. Fall color is orange-red. |
'Miami'
Reaches 16-20 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. Blooms are dark pink and fall color is orange. |
'Muskogee'
Reaches 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with lavender flowers and red fall color. |
'Natchez'
To 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with white flowers and orange-red fall foliage. |
'Pecos'
To 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with pink flowers and maroon fall color. |
'Tonto'
To 15-20 feet tall and just as wide, with red flowers and fall color. |
Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle)
This species can be grown as either a tree or shrub, and does well in zones 7-10, 12-14, 18-21, H1 and H2. They are native to China, and reach 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Leaves open tinged red, turn orange-red in fall. Flowers are crepey, and vary widely in color, depending on the varietal. They can be trained as trees, and in this form develop attractive trunk and branching structure. Bark is gray to light brown, smooth, and peels to reveal pinkish secondary bark. Even in wintertime, the structure of this tree makes it look very polished. The following varieties are commonly grown.
This species can be grown as either a tree or shrub, and does well in zones 7-10, 12-14, 18-21, H1 and H2. They are native to China, and reach 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Leaves open tinged red, turn orange-red in fall. Flowers are crepey, and vary widely in color, depending on the varietal. They can be trained as trees, and in this form develop attractive trunk and branching structure. Bark is gray to light brown, smooth, and peels to reveal pinkish secondary bark. Even in wintertime, the structure of this tree makes it look very polished. The following varieties are commonly grown.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'
8-10 feet tall, just as wide. With dark purple flowers and orange-red fall color. |
Lagerstroemia indica
'Centennial Spirit' This variety can be a multi-stemmed large shrub or trained as a tree to 20 feet tall and just as wide. Flowers are dark red, fall color is orange-red. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Chica Red'
To 3-4 feet tall and wide, with rose-red flowers and yellow fall foliage. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Dynamite'
This variety reaches 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with ruffled-red flowers and orange-red fall color. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Glendora White'
9 feet tall and 6 feet wide as a shrub, and 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide as a tree. White flowers and red fall color. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Near East' ('Shell Pink')
Grows to 15-20 feet tall and wide, with soft pink flowers and orangey red fall foliage. |
Lagerstroemia indica
'Peppermint Lace' This selection can be grown as a 6-7 foot tall and wide shrub or a 15-20 foot tall and wide tree, with pink flowers with a white edge. Fall color is red. |
Lagerstroemia indica Petite Series
This group of varietals reach 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with varying flower colors and yellow fall foliage. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Pink Velour'
Vase-shaped shrub or small tree to 10 feet tall and wide. Flowers are neon-pink and and fall color is yellow-orange. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Pocomoke'
Reaches 5 feet tall and just as wide, with dark rose-pink flowers and bronze-red fall color. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket'
20 feet tall and wide, with deep red flowers that bloom all summer long. Fall foliage is bronze-red. |
Lagerstroemia indica 'Seminole'
6-12 feet tall and just as wide, with bright pink flowers and red fall foliage. |
Lagerstroemia indica
'Watermelon Red' Rounded tree 20-25 feet tall and just as wide, with bright red flowers and yellow fall leaves. |
Lagerstroemia indica
'White Chocolate' 8-10 feet tall. New spring foliage is burgundy, maturing to chocolate-tinged green. Flowers are white, fall color is bright orange-yellow. |
Caring for and pruning lagerstroemia Trees
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 396 - 397, Lagerstroemia
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