Lagerstroemia indica
Crape Myrtle, Common Crapemyrtle
China, Korea
Shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed.
Prefers moist, well drained soil
Crapemyrtle is a beautiful small tree or large shrub ideal for specimen plantings or in small groups. Growth habit is variable but typically seen in a multi-stemmed form with a cloud of dense foliage on the upper portion and no foliage towards the base, exposing the handsome multi-colored, exfoliating bark. 15-25 feet tall is a typical size range, but this also varies. Leaves are opposite and privet-like (rounded at the base, entire margins, elliptic to oblong). New leaves are yellowish green and change to a deep lustrous green in the summer. Fall color is a stunning orange, red or yellow. Flowers emerge in mid-summer and have a huge range of colors (white, light pink, dark pink, to nearly red). Will flower throuh the summer if spent flowers from the first flush are pruned off. The 6-petals are distinctly crinkled. Fruits start to develop in fall and persist through the winter.
New leaves yellowish green:Lustrous medium to dark green at maturity:Yellowish orange in fall:Fall
Buds are small, appressed.
Mottled, peeling bark has tan, reddish, orangish, brown, and gray patches.
Six-petaled flowers are borne on 6-8 inch long panicles and can be red, pink, purplish, or white.
Brown, persistent, six-valved capsule holds seeds.
Softwood cuttings of young growth taken in May, June, July or semi-hardwood cuttings will root. Softwood, treat with 1000 ppm IBA quick-dip.