Lagerstroemia indica 'Muskogee' (Muskogee Crape Myrtle Tree)

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Lagerstroemia, Genus, indica, Species, 'Muskogee', Cultivar,

Genus & species
Cultivar

muskogee crape myrtle tree

Lythraceae Asia (parent species)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Lagerstroemia indica 'Muskogee' is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with an upright vase-shaped habit, reaching 20-25 feet (6-7.5 m) tall and 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) wide at maturity in 8-10 years. The cultivar is a hybrid of L. indica and L. fauriei bred at the U.S. National Arboretum, with multi-stem trunks displaying smooth cinnamon-brown bark that exfoliates in thin sheets to reveal lighter underbark. Lance-shaped leaves measure 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, emerging bronze-red and maturing to medium green; foliage turns red-orange in October-November. Light lavender-pink flower panicles, 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, appear from late June through September, with individual panicles lasting 4-6 weeks and successive flushes extending total bloom to 100-120 days. Flowers are followed by clusters of small brown seed capsules persisting through winter. Growth rate is fast in establishment, 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) per year. Powdery mildew resistance is high, inherited from the L. fauriei parent. Aphid-related sooty mold occurs in summer, and crape myrtle bark scale has spread through the southeastern United States since 2004. Cold-tender below 0 degrees F (-18 C); top dieback occurs in zone 6 winters.

Native Range

L. indica is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent, and L. fauriei is endemic to Yakushima, Japan. 'Muskogee' is a hybrid cultivar developed by Donald Egolf at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., released in 1978; it does not occur in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Used as a specimen or accent tree in residential and commercial landscapes across zones 7-9, planted at 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) from buildings or paths. Planted in groups of three to five trees as a tall screening row at 12-15 foot (3.7-4.6 m) spacing. Container culture is impractical at mature size, though young plants tolerate containers of 25 gallons (95 L) or larger for 5-7 years.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other crape myrtle cultivars by light lavender-pink flowers (rather than the deeper magenta of L. indica forms) and a tall vase-shaped habit reaching 20-25 feet (6-7.5 m). Bark is smooth cinnamon-brown with thin exfoliation revealing pale underbark, a trait inherited from the L. fauriei parent. Lance-shaped leaves measure 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long and emerge bronze-red. Flower panicles are 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long and open from late June through September across the southeastern United States.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 25'

Width/Spread15' - 20'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

red

orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Flowers: June–September

Summer Fall

Late June through September in zones 7-9, peaking in July-August; bloom may extend into October in zone 9. Individual panicles last 4-6 weeks, with successive bloom flushes producing total bloom of 100-120 days. Flowers open from cone-shaped buds at branch tips after new shoot extension is complete. Removing spent panicles before seed capsules form extends bloom by 2-4 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

medium green, bronze-red when emerging, red-orange in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0 (Acidic to neutral)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once per week during the first two growing seasons; established trees tolerate 3-4 weeks without rain in zones 7-9. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of bark or wood chips kept clear of the trunk. Crape myrtle bark scale has spread through the Gulf Coast and Southeast since 2004 and produces sticky residue and sooty mold; horticultural oil applied during dormancy reduces populations. Powdery mildew is rare due to L. fauriei parentage. Cold dieback occurs in zone 6 winters and at the northern edge of zone 7 during severe events; top growth resprouts from the base in spring. Lifespan averages 40-60 years in zones 7-9.

Pruning

Prune in late winter while dormant, removing crossing, rubbing, and inward-growing branches and trimming wayward stems back to a side branch. Heavy heading cuts that stub stems at the same point each year (so-called crape murder) produce knuckled scars and weak watersprout regrowth, weakening the natural vase form. Removing seed capsules in late winter encourages stronger first-flush bloom on new wood. Suckers from the base are removed annually to maintain the multi-stem tree form.

Pruning Schedule

Prune: February–March

winterearly spring