Crape Myrtle

 

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Arapaho'

This durable hybrid between L. indica, L. fauriei, and L. limii was introduced in 2003 and is named for a Native American tribe. It attracts attention nearly all year long with showy flower and leaf displays. As is customary with this genus, the bark is distinctively mottled, making L. ‘Arapaho’ attractive even in the dead of winter when the tree or shrub is defoliated. Come spring, new leaves in shades of deep red begin to appear. As the foliage ages, it becomes a handsome green. In the summer, brilliant deep red maroon flowers in the signature fluffy crape paper texture will stop traffic. As the weather cools, the oval 2-3 inch long leaves begin to turn a reddish purple shade that signals the coming of autumn. Easily pruned to a standard or low branching form, this Chinese native scores points not just for beauty but for performance as well. Drought tolerance, a nice manageable size of 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide in maturity, fire defensibility, and deep root systems make them eligible for street, lawn, courtyard or entry use.

Feed: Twice a year, once in early spring and again in the fall. Use a fertilizer with a ratio of 2:1:1, such as 10-5-5 or 20-10-10.

Prune: Prune only in late winter or very early spring, before new leaves and shoots emerge. It's better to under-prune than cut off too many branches. Cut above the joint only.

Notes: Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Links

Height: 15 feet

Spread: 15 feet

Blooming: Summer

Soil Moisture: Medium

Sun Exposure: Full Sun