Crapemyrtle

(Lagerstroemia indica)

August 1996

Summary:

Foliage: Deciduous broadleaf
Height: 15 to 25 feet
Spread: 10 to 20 feet
Shape: Upright

Glossy, dark green foliage turns yellow, orange, and red in fall. Flowers may be white, pink, red, or purple. Exfoliating bark is ornamental.

Plant Needs:

Zone: 7 to 9
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet, moist, or dry
Soil Type: Sandy or loam
pH Range: 4.5 to 7.3

Functions:

Suggested uses for this plant include border and specimen plant.

Planting Notes:

Plant a tree that has balled and burlapped roots or has been container-grown.
Plant in a location that is protected from winter wind.
Good soil drainage is required.

Care:

Prune dead wood from the plant in the spring.
Plant can also be cut to just above ground level in spring to produce vigorous sprouts with large flowers, keep large varieties in bounds, and eliminate tree-like appearance.

Problems:

Susceptible to many problems such as powdery mildew, black spot, tip blight, leaf spot, aphid, root rot, and Florida wax scale.
Crapemyrtle may die or freeze to the ground if grown in northern and western Virginia, although more cold-hardy varieties are being introduced.
Severely injured plants may fail to bloom even though new growth re-establishes the plant.

Alternatives:

Consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.

Cultivars of LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA:
`Catawba' has many dark purple flowers, and is mildew resistant.
`Cherokee' has bright red flowers and is also mildew resistant.
`Natchez' has beautiful bark year round and white flowers.

Comments:

The ornamental bark looks beautiful against a nice ground cover planted at the base of the tree.
The National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. has introduced many new cultivars of crapemyrtle.
The winter silhouette is quite nice.

Additional Materials:

The PRUNING SERIES videotape can be ordered through your local Extension office.
The following Extension publications are available through your local Extension office or directly from: Virginia Tech Extension Distribution Center 112 Landsdowne St. Blacksburg, VA 24061
#426-500 "Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs"
#426-606 "Selecting Landscape Plants - Deciduous Shrubs"

This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg Foundation. Mary Miller, Project Director. Diane Relf, Content Specialist, Horticulture. Copyright 1989 by VCE.

Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension