Lagerstroemia indica (Muskogee)

Description

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Lagerstroemia indica (Muskogee) Crape-myrtle is a single or multi-trunked small tree with a wide-spreading moderately dense crown. Muskogee Crape-myrtle can be flat-topped, rounded, or vase-shaped. It potentially can grow to a height of 10 to 30 feet and a spread of 15 to 25 feet. In cultivation it is typically much smaller.

The bark is very attractive, smooth, pinkish-gray, and mottled, peeling off yearly. The dark-green, shiny, deciduous leaves are shed in winter. They are alternate, small, 2 to 4 inches long and under 2 inches wide, smooth-edged, rounded or oval-shaped, changing to yellow, orange, or red in autumn before falling.

Furthermore, the flowers appear when the tree is without leaves and are very showy. The flowers are borne in erect clusters up to 3.5 inches long. The blossoms have ruffled or crinkly petals (like crepe paper). Moreover, the blooms are variable in color depending upon the variety and measure 1 to 1.5 inches across. Also, fruits are small, oval to round capsules, about .5 inch long and brown. The fruits persist on the tree and are showy before releasing disc-shaped seeds.

Muskogee Crape-myrtle is propagated by seed or cuttings. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils. Pruning is recommended if a single trunk is desired as well as to shape the crown. The plant is hardy, tolerates freezing temperatures, but is susceptible to aphids, which can be controlled. Lagerstroemia indica (Muskogee) Crape-myrtle is a very popular small landscape tree because of its overall beauty. It is an excellent tree or shrub in yards and gardens, parks, in parking lots, and along roadways.