Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Deciduous-Shrubs / Deciduous-Trees
A commonly grown small, multi-trunk tree or shrub, crape myrtle is outstanding in landscapes for its showy flowers in the summer and attractive bark in the winter.
(Detailed plant information can be found at the bottom of the page.)
Lagerstroemia indica Photo Gallery
Lagerstroemia indica Plant Information
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Lagerstroemia indica |
| Common Name: | crape myrtle |
| Family: | Lythraceae |
| Suggested Uses: | specimen, groupings, hedges, screens, mass plantings |
| Characteristics | |
| Plant Form: | multi-stem shrub or small tree |
| Height: | 18 inches to 25 feet (or more) tall |
| Foliage: | alternate to sub-opposite round and up to 2 inches long with entire margins veins are yellow and margins / petiole are often red mid-vein sticks out on the bottom of the leaf |
| Flower: | 6 - 8 inch long terminal inflorescence (panicle) flowers in white, pink, red, or lavender (depending on cultivar) |
| Bloom Period: | mid-June - late September |
| Fruit: | dehiscent capsule |
| Bark: | smooth, gray to brown, and exfoliating |
| Environment | |
| Sun: | full sun |
| Soil: | well-drained soil |
| USDA Zone: | zones 7 - 9 |
| Native Range: | Asia |
| Care | |
| Pests & Pathology: | can get powdery mildew |
| Additional Notes: | very adaptable prefers hot conditions many cultivars are available which range in size and flower color |
TTU Plant Resources
-
Address
Texas Tech University, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Box 42122, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2838 -
Email
Melanie.Jackson@ttu.edu