Crape Myrtle- Anyone Growing In PNW

nachodaddy

18 years ago

Hi Ya'll;

Anyone growing Crape Myrtle(Lagerstroemia) in the PNW???

I thought I saw some at the Center for Urban Horticulture at UW.

Thanx

Michael

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Comments (12)

Ron_B
18 years ago
Many others, of varying ages can be seen elsewhere in Seattle. Some blocks have them lining the street. Hot sites, with reflected heat produce best results.
bramblebee
18 years ago
Ron's right, and I have several varieties and have had good luck with them, when placed in sunny well-draining locations. They have flowers, gorgeous trunks and grand fall foilage in most cases--recommend!
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I know this is an old post, but I'm sure others will find it like I did. I have three Dynamite crape myrtles all bought at different stores but all planted about 6 to 8 years ago. I've had the same exact experience with them just never growing much higher than 10 ft so far. None of them have lived up to expectations as far as size. The flowers are beautiful and I get comments all the time but how great it is from people walking by but definitely not what was intended or advertised. I frankly had wondered if the first one planted was actually its first cousin, the red rocket, because while it has all the traits of a dynamite, super red white specks when cloudy, it's growing more straight than roundish, like the red rocket was supposed to. But the two that I planted in the backyard are pretty much doing the same thing. I would doubt three different growers ripped me off but who knows? I live in Maryland, so my weather is similar to the OP. Maybe that has something to do with it, but I'm curious if people in other places had better luck with these. So far these things have turned out to be really big bushes rather than trees.
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From what I've heard they spend at least their first year putting down roots. The one in my front yard didn't bloom the first year either. Then, the next spring, we thought it was dead. One branch was, but the other finally bloomed last summer (its second year). I love these because of the color in the dog days of summer -- most other trees around here are spring bloomers.
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Yes it is a true dwarf. The mature height is listed a 3-5 ft. My friend got a bunch of them from on an line nursery, as replacement plants from a company she uses online. She had to many and shared two with me. She said hers are growing well. They were very, very small when I got them. Maybe that's why they didn't do well the first winter, I don't know. They do look like they are struggling. When I looked it up - I believe mine is cherry Razzle Dazzle - it said it is deciduous and 3 ft tall - 4 ft wide. I will try to post a photo soon. Thanks again.
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I went to college in New Orleans. It was a horribly long, depressing, and expensive experience. There were many times when I was at the end of my rope. Honestly, I don't think I would still be alive, if the sight and fragrance of Crape Myrtles hadn't occasionally reassured me. So yeah, I can see why you want one. I have my desk positioned so that I can look out at my own beautiful CM. It's at least forty years old, and twenty feet tall, with a beautiful, unmolested, mature shape: very much a tree from the Jungles of India. The blooms are a rich orchid/violet color, and are at their peak right now. And yes, the tree continually tells me that everything will be all right. To grow one in New Hampshire, you will need: .A hardy variety .A sun trap (preferably a SE exposure beside your house) .Seriously deep mulch in winter Or: a miniature variety in a pot
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Ron_B
18 years ago
I didn't see larger, older one at C.U.H. flowering after it was moved from the hotspot on the south side of the old Arboretum office to the open collections, where there was no reflected heat. Current location, on south side of C.U.H. seems to have brought about a return to regular flowering. Those planted out in the parking north of Douglas Conservatory will also be getting plenty of warmth off of the asphalt around them.
slazin
18 years ago
If anyone knows of a nursery carrying them in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island, could you let me know? Thanks!

Also, I bought seed from Park's of a "dwarf" crape myrtle -- anyone have experience with these?
Ron_B
18 years ago
Call some garden centres, surely at least a few will have them in season (summer). They are not hard to find down here.

When I worked at Teufel nursery in Everett they got in some flowering Crape Myrtlettes, which were cute until they started to mildew.
mingtea
18 years ago
i think i have a ton of crape myrtle seeds lying around if you like...either that or i threw them away. in any case, there'll be more this year.

-ming
bcgift52
18 years ago
I've grown the dwarf crape myrtle from seed. Very easy,
they were blooming at 6" under the grow lights. I lost them to neglect but started them again this year but no bloom yet. I also have what I think are regular ones, also started from seed.
nachodaddy
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanx to all. Now I have to plant some asphalt and get that established...........

Michael
bramblebee
18 years ago
Don't laugh but I bought 5 varieties from a seller on Ebay.
Just do a search for crape myrtle and check out feedback first. I got 5 at one time and all are doing well. Very very reasonable
jubea
17 years ago
My suggestion is to choose for color of bark and fall foliage. I have a 'Natchez' which has increadible reddish-brown peeling bark and increadible bright scarlet foliage in autumn. Portland does not seem to get enough heat to make it flower like the one I had in Louisiana. Choose the earliest flowering varieties or ones with such outstanding features that you dont care if it ever flowers.
nwnatural
17 years ago
I had just seen some Crape Myrtles at Portland Ave Nursery in Tacoma. Two colors, red or purple flowers.
Embothrium
17 years ago
Most independent garden centers will have them, in season. See TREES OF SEATTLE - SECOND EDITION for discussion of local prescence.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees of Seattle - Second Edition

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Crape Myrtle- Anyone Growing In PNW

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Ron_B

bramblebee

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Crape Myrtle- Anyone Growing In PNW

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