Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Crape Myrtle is easily grown from seed offered by the GreenDealer Exotic Seeds selection of unusual trees and shrubs.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) foliage and blossoms.

This deciduous shrub grows as a small tree in warmer climate zones where it does not suffer frost bite. In the climate zones farther north (6, and 7) it frequently freezes back to the ground and comes back the following spring from the roots. It does not generally grow well in unprotected areas in climate zones 5 and farther north. The specimen shown above at left were photographed at Avery Island, Louisiana in September of 1998 where they grow as small ornamental trees. This same species grown farther north, center photo taken in Louisville, Kentucky, will look much fuller with less trunk showing, making it look more like a large shrub than a tree. Many people in the colder zones have had considerable success in reducing the "shrubby" look by pruning out trunks and lower branches to expose more of the beautiful trunk for a more tree-like appearance.

As a shrub or a tree, it grows to more than 20 ft. tall with a wide spread equal to its height if given enough space. There are numerous cultivars of this species, such as: Alba - white flowers, Purpurea - purple flowers, Rosea - pink flowers and Rubra - reddish purple flowers. There are many forms that have been given the names of various native American tribes, all are vigorous growers and will flower profusely. The flowers bloom throughout the summer and produce seed in September. The trunks, usually several in a clump, are an attractive mottled warm grey, but when grown as shrubs, the trunks are seldom visible because of the dense foliage.

Although a native of China, Crape Myrtle is grown throughout most of the southeastern United States as far north as the Ohio River Valley.

Crape Myrtle can be easily propagated from seed, or from cuttings of green or ripe stems. It will bloom the first season of growth.

Root hardy to climate zone 6.

Some common problems that can occur with Crape Myrtle are: powdery mildew, mold fungus and aphids. Use a spray of lime-sulfur, diluted 1 to 80 in early spring to control the powdery mildew. Use a sulfur compound or other insecticide to rid the plants of the aphids and mold fungus.