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Lagerstroemia spp.
crape myrtle
Eastern and southern Asia — China, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia; cultivated worldwide in warm temperate and subtropical climates
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Overview
Lagerstroemia spp. is crape myrtle (crepe myrtle), a deciduous tree or large shrub ranging from 3-30 feet (0.9-9 m) tall and 3-25 feet (0.9-7.5 m) wide depending on cultivar. Crinkled (crepe-like) flowers in terminal panicles 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) — white, pink, lavender, red, or purple depending on cultivar — July through September (10 weeks). Dark green leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) emerging bronze to reddish-purple. Turns yellow, orange, and red in fall. Smooth peeling bark in cinnamon, gray, and cream on multi-trunk forms. In Lythraceae. This is a genus-level record covering L. indica, L. fauriei, and their hybrids. Powdery mildew is the primary disease — choose mildew-resistant cultivars. 'Crape murder' (severe annual topping) creates weak regrowth and knobby stubs — select the correct mature-size cultivar for the site. Requires full sun for flowering. Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Zones 6-9. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Asia — China, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia. Cultivated worldwide in warm temperate and subtropical climates.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen tree, street tree, patio tree, hedge, and in containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L), spaced 3-25 feet (0.9-7.5 m) depending on cultivar size. Long summer bloom. Peeling bark. Select cultivar by mature size: dwarf (3-5 feet / 0.9-1.5 m), semi-dwarf (5-12 feet / 1.5-3.6 m), tree form (15-30 feet / 4.5-9 m). Non-toxic. Zones 6-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 30'
Width/Spread3' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Mid to late summer (July-September). Crinkled (crepe-like) flowers in terminal panicles 6-18 inches (15-45 cm). White, pink, lavender, red, or purple. 10 weeks of bloom on new wood. Deadheading can encourage a secondary flush. Bee- and butterfly-visited.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, pink, lavender, red, or purple depending on cultivar; crinkled (crepe-like) petals 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) in terminal panicles 6-18 inches (15-45 cm)Foliage Description
Dark green, simple, opposite, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm); emerging bronze to reddish-purple in spring; turns yellow, orange, and red in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours — required for flowering). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Drought-tolerant once established. Choose mildew-resistant cultivars. Blooms on new wood — prune in late winter (February-March). Do not top ('crape murder'). Select correct mature-size cultivar for the site. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 6-9.Pruning
Prune in late winter (February-March) — blooms on current season's new wood. Remove dead, crossing, and inward-growing branches. Thin interior to improve air circulation (reduces powdery mildew). Remove suckers at the base. Do not top ('crape murder') — select the correct cultivar size instead.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons