Street Trees Through the Seasons – Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica hybrids (Crape Myrtle) are in the Lythraceae family, and are native to China.

The trees are deciduous, and key diagnostics include leaves that are simple, mostly opposite, 1-2” long, deep glossy green, oblong elliptical, short stalked or nearly sessile, glabrous/shiny on upper surface, with pale undersides. New leaves have reddish, bronze tinge, and fall color is red, orange, and yellow. Flowers are crinkled, crepe-like, showy in upright 6-12” clusters at branch ends from July to September, in red, pink, lilac, white to red. Bark is smooth, shiny, tan, and peels off in thin flakes resulting in light and dark patches. The seed capsule is hard-shelled, shiny light brown in fall, and persisting into winter.

Lagerstroemia indica hybrids  - leaf shape and habit.
The distinctive seed capsules are easy to identify.

Does best in warm, dry climates and full sun, but can be subject to mildew. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil, with deep watering.

Winter - bare branches with persistent seed capsules.	Spring - leaves emerge in May.
Summer - fully leafed out, and a hint of flowers to come.	Fall - vibrant pinkish-purple flowers in September.

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