Gardengnome's Garden
Crape Myrtle
Genus: Lagerstroemia.
Species: Lagerstroemia indica.
Purchased and planted three for the front yard in 2007; one lavendar, one red and one white blossomed bushes. These are small specimen trees with showy flowers, good fall color and interesting bark. The curiously crinkled, flowers appear in terminal clusters in mid to late summer. The bark is smooth and gray, exfoliating to expose various-colored under-bark. The dark green summer foliage usually turns yellow , orange or red in the fall. Crape myrtle is best suited for southern gardens, where the climate is hot and sunny. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Feed plants with plant food each spring. Prune in early spring, shortening the previous year's shoots by 1/2 to 1/3 of their length. Cutting off old flower heads in summer can promote a second and third round of flowering.
