Genus: Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia indica Lil Purpura™

This is a very pretty and unusual Crape Myrtle selection that we made years ago. After more than a decade it has shown no sign of powdery mildew and has profuse frilly rich purple reliable flowers. This is a compact and slow growing shrub to 6′ tall in 10 years and half as wide progressively larger over time. In early July it alights in large trusses of clear purple flowers, in full bloom they obscure the foliage.  Fresh green foliage emerges tinted pewter  and changes to shades of orange and red in fall. Rich soil, in full all day sun in a warm position. Crape myrtles loathe any and all shade. The compact habit and measured growth means that pruning is seldom necessary. Thin trunks and stems exfoliate to a glossy tan and are showy in winter. Water once a week through  bloom. This  shrub creates a wonderful ball of purple for 6-8 weeks beginning in early July.  The long bloom time means that this is a supreme pollinator shrub.  Rich soil with mulch is ideal. Very adaptable to large containers and with regular water and annual applications of all organic fertilizer. Crape myrtles will stall, the leaves will turn red and not bloom if they have insufficient irrigation water once a week. A great small purple crape myrtle we specifically selected for the Willamette Valley.

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Dallas Red’

Reknowned not only for the vivid red flowers this cultivar that is frequently planted in North Texas is incredibly hardy to cold and does surprisingly well in the Willamette Valley. Upright, somewhat stiff habit to 18′- 20′ in maturity, width 1/2 that. The glossy round dark green leaves are tinted red and this is a back drop to the vivid, true red flowers that erupt from black buds in large trusses. Best in a very hot position in full sun and rich soil with reliable, once a week irrigation. Excellent results against a south facing wall of a building. Seems to have the same heat requirements and vivid flower color of the more commonly grown red variety ‘Dynamite’. In cool weather, between heat stretches, the flowers can emerge speckled with white- curious but uncommon. Bold red flowers are large and lightly fragrant. I have yet to observe mildew on this cultivar in the specimens I’ve located around Portland but I would give it good air circulation, full sun and regular irrigation, avoid dry shade. Full, hot all day sun.  The trunks are colored very light tan which contrasts well with the dark foliage and vivid flowers. It exfoliates to a glossy sheen. Fall color is red/ orange. Loved by pollinators. Blooms Aug – Oct. Moderately fast growing, irrigation increases the rate of growth and aids in flowering. Not as easy to root as most cultivars, a limited quantity of this tree will likely always be available. Amazing in bloom.

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Lagerstroemia indica Lil Blanco™

Our selection of a smaller scale crape myrtle with the purest white flowers that we have seen. Glossy, handsome disease free foliage is light green and glossy, on a very upright growing large shrub to small tree. Early and reliable flowering in our climate, in full hot sun, rich soil with a deep soak once a week in summer. Reliably in bloom by the early part of July and continuing for 6 weeks  or more. Fall color is bright golden yellow.  Moderately fast growing to 5′ tall in 5 years with an ultimate size at 15 years of 10′ – 12′ by 4′ wide. Cold hardy and naturally resistant to powdery mildew. Very showy and its masses of flowers draw a plethora of pollinators for many weeks. It requires a lower heat amount to propel it into bloom. The thin trunks exfoliates to glossy tan and is showy. Best in the sunniest hottest location. Crape myrtles are not just shade intolerant they loathe all  shade. Full all day sun in a hot position. Specifically chosen for excellent performance in the Willamette Valley.  Small scale and size fits into any garden.

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Lagerstroemia indica Pinky Pinkerton™

A dwarf/smaller crape myrtle that we raised from seed years ago and it has proven to be an excellent shrub with large vivid flowers . Small leaves on a compact plant to 6′ x 4 in 5 years with very large individual flowers that are hot pink and form large showy trusses.  A naturally early blooming cultivar  with low heat requirements  it will be in full fabulous bloom in mid -July and continues until September.  Fall color is bright orange and yellow. Extremely showy in bloom this slow growing plant will attract pollinators for 6 -8 weeks. Crape myrtles bloom so profusely  and for so long that they are one of our best summer blooming woody pollinator plants.  The individual flowers are very large- larger than the leaves and flowers obscure the foliage. Rich soil with regular summer water, a deep soak once  a week in  full sun in a hot position. Powdery mildew resistant and not bothered by any pests. Cold hardy and long lived. In time the thin trunks and stems exfoliate to a glossy tan/gray.  Excellent specimen  or showy member of a hedgerow.  Very pretty in bloom. In great age 15+ years it will grow into a small tree. Accepts the hottest locations. Great  plant for planting islands in parking lots. Reliable. Very good in large containers with regular irrigation and fertilizer. Thrives with heat.

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Lagerstroemia indica Loowit Lavender™

One of our smaller Crape myrtle introductions that produces masses of extra-frilly lavender/purple  flowers from early July to September. This is a dense and compact shrub and will slowly achieve 6′ x 3′ wide in 5 years, progressively larger after that . Dark foliage is small and resistant to powdery mildew. This Crape myrtle has lower heating requirements to bloom and willl be in massive bloom by mid July. In autumn this compact shrub turns red and orange before losing its leaves . Full all day sun in a hot position. Rich soil with regular irrigation ,about one good soak per week in summer is ideal and will lead to flowering and re-flowering for months . Crape myrtles produce such a display of flowers for so long they are one of our best summer pollinator trees/shrubs. Very easy to grow, ideal hedge row or specimen shrub. Excellent in very hot locations and excels in frying, reflected heat. Cold hardy and mildew resistant. Pruning is seldom needed. Very long lived. The smaller stems exfoliate to a glossy tan with time.

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Early Purple’

This wonderful small crape myrtle offers very early flowering and it repeat blooms all summer. To 7′ tall by 5′ wide in 10 years. In late June it  begins opening soft purple flowers. This prolific blooming little tree requires very little heat to initiate flowers.  It even accepts very light shade but full hot sun is what it wants. In time the thin trunks exfoliate to a solid glossy chocolate brown. In fall it  becomes yellow to orange. Very easy to grow in enriched soil with regular summer water for the best performance. More drought adapted with time . This forgiving small tree can find a home in perennial borders or hedgerows. If you want a crape myrtle that blooms in Seattle this is perhaps your best bet.  It requires only a half dozen days above 85ºF to bloom, but not adaptable to the Oregon coast. Tolerates the hottest positions and can handle fierce reflected heat.  Cold hardy and long lived. Excellent size for small gardens. Naturally mildew resistant. Great landscape small tree/shrub.

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Lagerstroemia indica Lil Pink Boa™

A dwarf, much smaller growing Crape myrtle that we raised from seed years ago. In the ensuing years it has proven to be resistant to powdery mildew and has shown great hardiness to cold with fantastic large vivid flowers. To just 4′ tall in 6 years and then progressively taller a very vertical crape myrtle for its diminutive size just  3′ wide. Beginning in July a continuous supply of enormous lavender-pink flower trusses. The individual flowers are larger than normal and it adds to a very voluptuous large truss of flowers. Flowering normally continues until late September. Easy to grow very flowery shrub for full hot sun in rich soil with regular summer water. Tolerates the hottest sites and in time the thin stems exfoliate to a silvery, glossy brown. Fall color is yellow with tints of orange. This would be a very good candidate for colder climates such as  The Dalles. Very easy to grow and long, long blooming. It has lower heat requirements to bloom, usually in bloom by early July.

 

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Portland Purple’

One of the goals of crape myrtle breeders is to find a variety that has purple flowers that do not fade. This tree which can be found in old gardens in the Portland area including some ancient specimens fits that bill. Moderately fast growing tree with grass green leaves with a slight tan cast. The flowers could best be described as large and magenta purple and they hold that color for as long as they are in bloom. This is one of the most spectacular crape myrtles in bloom and since it can be found only as old specimens we have decided to offer it. Its one of my favorite Crape Myrtles and it also has glossy tan muscular bark and orange/yellow fall color. I have never seen it with mildew. At one point this very old variety was sold around the city- but even the youngest specimens are many decades old. We love this crape myrtle and are happy to offer it for sale. 15-20′ in antiquity, grows about 1′-3′ a year with good irrigation which it appreciates. Rich soil in full hot sun. Blooms August to September.

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Victor’ (Red)

This has been a great performer in my garden and is one of my favorite smaller crape myrtles.  In the past 10 years it has become a slender, graceful shrub with a wavy branch pattern upright to 9′ tall. In early to mid August glossy black buds erupt into frilly saturated red flowers. The upright large trusses feature the flower color very well and its showy from quite a distance. Disease resistant and very cold hardy-it can be grown without fear in Zone 6b (-5ºF). Fall color is red orange and the slender stems exfoliate to patches of dark brown and lighter tan. Full (all day ) hot sun in rich soil with regular summer irrigation. Grows about 6″ per year. Works well in larger containers with regular irrigation and annual applications of fertilizer. Slow to produce because of its dwarf stature this fine small tree will always be limited in quantity. LOVE the saturated red flowers. Elegant small tree, the trusses of flowers are very large for the size of the tree. . Limited quantities.

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Velma’s Royal Delight’

We love this smaller growing crape myrtle for its vivid, opulent huge magenta purple flowers  The shocking color of the petals is amplified by being larger individually than normal. The flowers are born in large globose trusses  mid August to early October. 9′  tall in 10 years it is renowned not only for its vivid flower color but for exceptional cold hardiness – it resprouted from an epic -24ºF freeze in Topeka, Kansas, one of the very few to survive. It also possesses very good disease resistance and I’ve never seen a drop of powdery mildew. In the Southern U.S. it is commonly recommended for these attributes.  Upright then rounded habit. Fall color is red/ orange and brief and the slender but older stems exfoliate to a glossy tan. This is an exceptional flower color- excellent against a deep green backdrop. Full (all day) hot sun in rich soil with regular water beginning in May. It appreciates the hottest position you can give it. One tip if you want to maximize growth is to water it when its going to get hot – it should be well hydrated going into a heatwave. Glossy red buds release the vivid flower petals. This small, hardy excellent Crape Myrtle was bred by and then named for Mrs. Velma McDaniels a Wichita KS crape myrtle enthusiast.  She did a phenomenal job.  Crape myrtles are completely intolerant of shade- 6 or more hours of full sun per day. Delightful cultivar. Limited quantities.

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