Primetime NewspapersBy Calvin R. Finch, PhD, SAWS Conservation Director, and HorticulturistWeek of July 11, 2005  

“Crape Myrtles”

            It took them awhile to start blooming this summer because of the cool spring, but they have started now and are making a show all over the city.  If it is practical (reachable height) deadhead your crape myrtles to encourage more bloom.  Deadheading means to cut the spent flowers off of the plant so seeds do not form.

 

            For those of you who are considering crape myrtles for your landscape, here is a list of hybrid varieties to consider.  The new hybrids are recommended because they are powdery mildew resistant.  The larger selections can be trained as a single stemmed tree or large multi-stemmed shrub.  More varieties and information about planting and pruning crape myrtles can be found at plantanswers.com, click information index, click trees and shrubs, click pruning and or planting.  Crape myrtles in containers can be planted at anytime.  Some retail nurseries have summer sales on shrubs and trees. 

 

CULTIVAR    FLOWER COLOR     GROWTH HABIT    HEIGHT         FALL COLOR

 

Acoma                      White                     Low spreading           6’ – 10”            Purple-red

 

Arapaho                     Red                       Upright                      20’+                 n/a

 

Biloxi                       Pale Pink                   Upright vase             30’+                 Orange red

 

Catawba                    Purple                     Broad crown              8’ – 10’                        Orange

 

Cheyenne               Bright Red                  Rounded                   8’ – 12’                        n/a

 

Chickasaw           Pink-Lavender               Miniature                  2’ – 3’              n/a

 

Choctaw                Bright Pink                   Small tree                 15’ – 20’           Maroon

 

Comanche             Coral Pink                  Broad crown               15’ – 20’           Orange red

 

Dallas Red                 Red                       Broad upright              20’+                 n/a

 

Hopi                       Med. Pink                 Low globose               8’ – 10’                        Orange red

 

Lipan                   Med. Lavender              Broad upright                        15’ – 20’           Orange

 

Miami                    Dark Pink                    Upright                     20’+                 Orange

 

Muskogee         Light Lavender              Broad tall tree               25’+                 Red/Orange

 

Natchez                  White                     Broad tall tree               20’ – 30’           High Red         

 

Osage               Clear Pink                  Pendulous globose           15’ – 20’           High Red         

 

Pecos               Medium Pink                 Low globose                8’ – 10’            Maroon

 

Pink Velour       Bright Pink                         Upright                    8’ – 10’                      Dark Orange

 

Potomac           Clear Pink                    Upright small tree         15’ – 20’            Orange

 

Red Rocket       Cherry Red                        Upright                       20’+                n/a

 

Sioux                Vibrant Pink                      Upright                     12’ – 15’           Maroon

 

Tightwad Red      Light Red                        Dwarf                       2’ – 4’                          n/a

 

Tonto                     Red                      Compact globose                 8’ – 12’       Bright maroon

 

Tuscarora         Dark Pink                    Broad vase                 20’ – 25’         Red orange

 

Tuskegee          Dark Pink                  Broad spreading              15’ – 25’         Red orange

 

Zuni              Medium Lavender                 Globose                      9’ – 12’          Red orange

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