Lagerstroemia indica 'Tonto' (Tonto Crape Myrtle Tree)

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Lagerstroemia, Genus, indica, Species, 'Tonto', Cultivar,

Genus & species
Cultivar

tonto crape myrtle tree

Lythraceae Asia (parent species)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Lagerstroemia indica 'Tonto' is a deciduous large shrub or small multi-stem tree with a rounded upright habit, reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) wide at maturity in 6-8 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 tan-gray bark that exfoliates in thin sheets. Lance-shaped leaves measure 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long, emerging bronze-red and maturing to medium green; foliage turns deep maroon-red in October-November. Vivid fuchsia-red flower panicles, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long, appear from late June through September, with individual panicles lasting 4-6 weeks and successive flushes extending total bloom to 90-100 days. Flowers are followed by clusters of small brown seed capsules persisting through winter. Growth rate is moderate, 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) per year. Powdery mildew resistance is high, inherited from the L. fauriei parent. Crape myrtle bark scale has spread through the southeastern United States since 2004 and produces sticky residue and sooty mold. Cold-tender below 0 degrees F (-18 C); top dieback occurs at the northern edge of zone 7.

Native Range

L. indica is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent, and L. fauriei is endemic to Yakushima, Japan. 'Tonto' is a hybrid cultivar developed by Donald Egolf at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., released in 1995; it does not occur in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Used as a specimen or accent in residential landscapes across zones 7-9, planted at 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) from buildings or paths. Planted in groups of three to five as a mid-height screening row at 6-8 foot (1.8-2.4 m) spacing. Container grown in 25-gallon (95 L) or larger pots, with reduced lifespan of 8-10 years compared to in-ground plantings.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other crape myrtle cultivars by vivid fuchsia-red flowers and a compact 8-12 foot (2.4-3.7 m) habit. Bark is smooth tan-gray with thin exfoliation, lighter than the cinnamon bark of L. 'Muskogee'. Lance-shaped leaves measure 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long and emerge bronze-red. Fall foliage turns deep maroon-red, darker than the orange-red color of L. 'Tuscarora' and L. 'Muskogee'.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'

Width/Spread8' - 10'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

red

maroon

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 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 90-100 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, deep maroon-red 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 at the northern edge of zone 7 during severe winters; top growth resprouts from the base in spring. Lifespan averages 30-50 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 rounded 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