Most jm's do better with morning sun and afternoon, at least, partial shade and if you want at least some color you will need at least 5-6 hours of sun...so it depends on how your tree is situated. Pin oaks are fast growing but IMHO crappy trees ( although ANY 150 year old tree is a treasure!!) I have "inherited" three of them all about 50-75 ft tall. You should be careful planting them too close cause the nasty acorn fall in aug - oct may damage your leaves and small branches of your jm's...fortunatly the acorns are small..( although i've had my head cracked by them more than once and it's NO treat.)Also note the above fast growing statement ...what may be in partial sun this year may become full shade next and trimming ( or in your case falling old dying branches) near your maples may be problematic since pin oak brances are especially twiggy and heavy leading to possible damage of your JM's.( and I don't know how much more growing a 150 year old ree will do).If you have lived with this tree for a while you may be aware of everything I have posted but others here reading this may not!!! All the varieties you mentioned should do well in St. Louis... but the placement may be problematic ...David

Came across your question while looking for fellow Crepe Myrtle lovers who garden far north of their normal growing range. Here in W. PA I garden in zone 5, -20 degrees average winter lower extreme. The three Crepe Myrtles that have proven not just root hardy, but also bud hardy are: Hopi, pink (4'X 4'), Sioux, pink (8'X 5'), and Natchez, white (6' X 5'). Hopi, by far is the hardiest of the lot. All experience some bud die back but usually only the top foot or two of the bush is hit. There are plenty of remaining good buds to make a spectacular flowering show. Hopi is in full bloom right now. Natchez is not quite in full bloom " ". and Sioux is just starting blooming. Other Crepe Myrtles being tested are: Acoma, Biloxi, Miami, Potomac, Tonto, Victor Red, and Zuni. Zuni does not show much vigor and really blooms in the fall here, a little too late. All the others are too new upon whom to pass final judgement, but all have shown bud hardiness to some degree or other. Those Crepe Myrtles (I have a few un-named ones), that are only root hardy here are treated as herbaceous perennials. Since Crepe Myrtle blooms on new wood, these less hardy ones send up growth from soil level in the spring and bloom on single shoots at about 3' height. They are 'look alikes' for Phlox Paniculata, especially the larger, vigorous Phlox, and can be mistaken for Phlox from a distance when in bloom. I have found that it does not hurt to try a variety of Crepe Myrtle, say just one plant of the varety, to see if it is going to be winter hardy and bloom satisfactorilly. My main problem has been finding nurseries that ship small enough plants at reasonable prices (locally available crepe myrtle are very scarce). Small plants adjust best and they grow so quickly. It is hard to justify buying a gallon or + size plant for about $30.00 (see Carroll Gardens, Westminster, MD, on the Web), and pay an additonal $15.00 for shipping, at a total of about $50.00 for the plant only prove to be root hardy, and behave like a herbaceous perennial, say Phlox 'David', I can pick up at Lowe's for $4.00 with change. Both will essentially look alike when in bloom in the garden. Hope my experience has helped you. Rootman

The important parts of this article can also apply to "DEAR DEER". We have the largest population of deer in the state of Wisconsin I think! Everybody (like gardeners) who is not in the "know and of course the hunters think that they are adorable when young and beautiful and majastic when grown". And that is why I have ugly deer fencing and posts around all of my gardens...I got up one morning prior to the fencing and found that those 4 legged monsters had destroyed at least a dozen of my hostas. Neighbors do think that I am crazy for gardening in the woods and country...but I will prevail!! Vicki

I posted on one of the other earthquake posts That I was up last night putting buckets in the window because when it rains really hard our windows leak. I had just gotten into my bed and snuggled in....and felt the bed ever so slightly .......I thought it was my imagination...so I turned over then layed still and sure enough I could still feel it... What do you think??? I woke up this morning to hear about the earthquake and it was at the same time.... 'spose it could have been? No one alseep would have ever felt it. patti