Plant of the Month

Plant of the Month: August 2021

Crêpe Myrtle

Lagerstrœmia species & hybrids

LYTHRACEÆ; Loosestrife Family

This month in Seattle, the Crêpe Myrtle trees and shrubs are beautiful with copious bloom. The flowers vary in color. The tree I show below is a common hybrid called 'Natchez' with white flowers. In 1989, the first edition of my book Trees of Seattle, was written. Then, the Crêpe Myrtles were rare here. But by the 2006 publication of the book's second edition, they were merely uncommon. Their increase in popularity is deserved. They can be obtained in small, medium and large sizes; their bark is invariably lovely; most have attractive fall color. They bloom when Seattle needs floral color. They tolerate minimal summer watering --though are far more healthy if watered. And they can be pruned hard in winter, yet still still bloom wonderfully next summer.

The specimen photographed below was planted in July 2002 by me. In winter, I prune it brutally, exactly like a person does with hybrid tea rose bushes. If unpruned, the tree would become too tall and wide for its garden setting. Knowing what I do now, and looking back, I should have planted a smaller cultivar.

My understanding is that purebred L. indica cultivars are more tolerant of summer dryness, yet also more prone to getting mildew. Whereas hybrids between L. indica and L. Fauriei, are more thirsty, more cold-hardy, but less mildew-prone. My 1996 book North American Landscape Trees, describes over 50 Crêpe Myrtle cultivars of tree size. The book is long out of print, but I have an extra copy for sale; contact me if interested.

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