Lagerstroemia
[CRAPE MYRTLE]
An all-season performer that shows off colorful foliage in fall, attractive exfoliating bark in winter and showy flowers in the summer! Crape Myrtle bloom from July to September, with some varieties blooming until first frost. Flowers have a crepe like texture and range in color from red, purple, pink, orchid and white. There are several varieties that range in size from 2-foot shrubby dwarfs to large trees.
Crape Myrtles’ showy flowers adds a punch of color in late summer & early fall.
Crape Myrtle (front), Rudbeckia & Hibiscus
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HISTORY
Better known by their common name of Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia is a genus of about 50 plants native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The Genus is named after the director of the Swedish East India Company, Magnus van Lagerstrom, who supplied Carl Linnaeus with plants he collected.
Only 2 species are primarily used in gardening and landscape horticulture. The Lagerstroemia indica from China and Korea was introduced to Charleston, North Carolina in 1790 by French botanist Andre Michaux. In the wild it is a large multi stemmed shrub but 200 years of cultivation have resulted in a huge number of cultivars with varying characteristics.
Another species from Japan Lagerstroemia fauriei is becoming increasingly important as a landscape plant and as a parent in hybrids with L. Indica. This species is more resistant to fungal diseases, has highly ornamental bark and is more cold hardy than L. Indica making it valuable as genetic material for hybridization.
FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT. allowS CRAPE MYRTLE time to establish their roots before going dormant in winter.
Lagerstroemia Berry Dazzle
CARE
Prefer full sun. The more sun the more blooms!
Once established, Crape Myrtles are quite drought tolerant.
They need good drainage.
A common mistake is over-pruning.
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USES
Crape myrtles make great additions to any size garden. Some ideas for how to use them:
Plant multiple dwarf or medium-size varieties together to form a hedge.
Use dwarf varieties as colorful additions in borders and beds.
Dwarf varieties make excellent choices for large containers.
A good choice near walkways and driveways.
Use larger varieties as an individual accent
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we have dwarf varieties available to add to your garden if you don’t have space for a larger speciman.
Crape Myrtle ‘Like a Latte’ [photo: walters gardens]
CRAPE MYRTLE VARIETIES WE HAVE AVAILABLE
Lagerstroemia 'Like A Latte' (Dwarf)
Lagerstroemia 'Barista Cherry Mocha' (Dwarf)
Lagerstroemia 'Tuscarora'
Lagerstroemia 'Tonto'
Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee'
Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee Lavender'
Lagerstroemia 'Natchez White'
Lagerstroemia 'Cherry Mocha' [photo: walters garden]
Crape Myrtle ‘Tuscarora’ [photo: monrovia]
Crape Myrtle ‘Muskogee’ [photo credit: monrovia]
Tonto Crape Myrtle [photo: monrovia]
Fall Trees & Shrubs
