skip to main content

Texas Gardening

Question about Natchez Crepe Myrtle

8 years ago

So the TAMU website says that they get about 20 or so feet tall. I think those are the same ones as at the Dallas Aboretum and they're huge. At Lowe's, I saw some on sale that claimed to be Natchez, but the tag says they get to 10 feet tall. My question is do you think they're really Natchez and will get tall or do you think they're something else and will get 10 feet tall?

Featured Answer

bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

There's no real way of knowing what Lowe's is calling a 10' Natchez :-)

My experience with Lowe's in our area has been they are similar to the best local nurseries with type/cultivar tag accuracy, but size info on trees and shrubs is often underestimated. Can't find the thread where someone had speculated their "mature" tree size estimates seem to be for about 10 year old plants... which can be quite misleading for ones that will live 50 or more years. Might not be 'Natchez', but my guess would be that the cultivar is right and the size estimate is way off. Cultivar, species, or even genus mistakes can happen anywhere... but do seem to occur more for me at some other big box retailers :-)

The website of the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Foundation founded by Neil Sperry is worth exploring. No surprise that 'Natchez' and 'Acoma' are both included on their Best Crape Myrtles by Size list, but just noticed they have 'Acoma' tagged as a spreading 10ft tall variety..... oh well.

Great choice on CM as the only tree for a small yard. Bark is especially interesting and beautiful this year as it peels and pops off the trunks due to growth from the wet spring. Most of ours give surprisingly vivid and reliable fall color in north Texas - though don't remember this quite as much in Houston. And, of course, those wonderful long-blooming flowers.

Edit: Didn't mean to imply that Lowe's might really be using a 10 year age for the size estimate - gist the thread if I remember correctly was that the estimates appear to be all over the place, but wrong on the low side was pretty common.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

PKponder TX Z7B
8 years ago
The Natchez that we had at our old house was at least 25' tall and nearly that wide. It had been there maybe 20 years.

There's no real way of knowing what Lowe's is calling a 10' Natchez :-)
Lynn Marie thanked PKponder TX Z7B
Vulture61
8 years ago
The challenge is that there are other types of white blooming CM. What I have noticed is that Natchez's general look is "lankier" and taller. The new growth is like, thicker but more elongated. Similarly, the leaves are bigger and more separate. The non-Natchez is bushier, more compact and the leaves are smaller. It's hard to tell the difference.

Omar
Lynn Marie thanked Vulture61
Related Discussions
Pruning very large Natchez Crepe Myrtles
Q
Comments (6)
Actually, though these trees have a reputation for being tough, they should be cared for in a way that improves their chances for a long life. I'm sorry that your trees have had a history of being topped. Though you can shape them to improve them, they will never quite have the beautiful 'bones' of a tree that hasn't been butchered. The best time to prune these trees is in the dormant season when you can see what you are doing! It will be much easier to pick and choose which limbs need to be removed for aesthetics and safety. I see no reason to spray paint the limbs first. Pruning is an art form and an acquired skill. If done improperly, you CAN ruin your tree. If done correctly, you will be able to improve the health and appearance of your trees a great deal. There is quite a bit of good information on the internet about making proper cuts, tools, etc. Plus, there are some good illustrated books out there. I strongly believe that if a tree is too large to be pruned without a ladder, then a homeowner has no business with a chain saw in his hand. Most crape myrtle pruning can be done with a tree saw (large and small), and some good loppers. A good tree saw, by the way, cuts through branches like a knife through butter. Do you happen to live anywhere near Huntsville? I'm going to conduct a (free) crape myrtle pruning class sometime this winter.
...See More
question about black mold/bugs and crepe myrtles
Q
Comments (10)
texasredhead,i really don't know what kind of crepe myrtles i have to be honest...i bought them from home depot and all the tags said was "red crepe myrtle",i have 3 so far that are in late bloom i guess since they were bought about a month ago those are red,i have another that appears to white with tinges of pink,so apparently the tags were wrong,but i did pay for them and would like to see them grow,if you would follow my link to photobucket you would see where i have questioned what kinds of crepes i really bought as i left the tag on it,...i also bought some from lowes and were also the wrong colors..i was just concered that they had that black mold and was wondering if anyone could tell and also some type of bug all over which i mentioned in my first post...i also had to trm some of the branches as they were broken...thanks anyhow
...See More
Question about my Crepe Myrtles.
Q
Comments (19)
jah, I suggested some possibilities in my earlier post. But you simply haven't given us enough information to allow us to be helpful. By the way, I have clay soil, too. Plants of every kind grow like crazy here with no amending and very, very few fertilizer applications over the years. So, you have to answer the questions about soil drainage, proper planting techniques, after care, etc. I'm afraid that spelling Crape myrtle is not any more correct here in the south than anywhere else. I've stopped pressing the point, but it's always nice to spell even the common names of plants correctly. You're likely to find better information in your internet research.
...See More
Natchez Crepe Myrtle bending
Q
Comments (10)
i use old fashioned all cotton clothes line ... its big enough.. that i can untie and retie it.. numerous time over a growing season ...do not presume that you tie it once.. and walk away for years .... and.. if i lose track of it.. it will eventually rot off ... though i doubt you would forget about one tree on a small lot ... lol ... hindsight is 20/20 ... next time avoid a bit of instant gratification.. buy a better.. smaller tree ... and train it up yourself .... and you will avoid this problem ... in other words.. buy a tree with a trunk proportional to its height ... ken ps: if you added fert to the planting hole.. it would be no surprise that the greenery outgrew that wood ... if applicable.. avoid that next time ...
...See More
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
My white crape myrtles are the Acoma variety which are said to get ten to fifteen ft tall, but have gotten to about 20 ft. plus over time. As Omar says they have thicker foliage and are more compact. It's hard to say what you'd be getting when there is that discrepancy between the description and the name. Natchez are easy to spot because they are large, absolutely gorgeous trees, but I see a lot of Acomas planted in commercial situations.
Lynn Marie
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, y'all. I won't risk it. We're thinking of planting it in our small suburban back yard, but it will be the only tree back there.
Lynn Marie
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Bostedo! That's very helpful! Now I'm thinking I might get one if they still have any once it cools off.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Crape Myrtle

By Becky Harris

With long-lasting blooms and gorgeous exfoliating bark, this ornamental tree brings bright color and a unique form to the landscape

SAVING WATER Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?

By Annie Thornton

Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it

GARDENING GUIDES Northern California Gardener's September Checklist

Welcome to the best season for planting just about everything, and for tackling major landscaping projects to boot

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio

Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space

INSPIRING GARDENS From Concrete Lot to Gracious Organic Garden in Seattle

By Kimberley Bryan

Plants, pests and even weeds have a place in this landscape, which offers an edible bounty and a feast for the eyes

GARDENING GUIDES Let Lilac Love Flower This Spring

By Alison Hodgson

Whatever you bestow or receive for Mother's Day, lilacs can be an unmatched gift in the garden in May

EXTERIORS Where Front Yards Collide: Property Lines in Pictures

By Mitchell Parker

Some could be twins; others channel the Odd Couple. You may never look at property boundaries the same way again

WINDOW TREATMENTS How Low Should Your Drapes Go?

By Judith Taylor Designs

Hover, brush the floor or pool like Scarlett O'Hara's tears — we give you the lowdown on curtain length options

ARCHITECTURE How Thermal Mass Keeps You Warm and Cool

Passive solar design makes use of this element. Here’s how it works and how you can get it in your home

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

Sponsored

More Discussions

If anyone still reads here …

5

Costco bareroots in TX -- 2 plants $16

2

cleaver invasion

2

Crossvine oddness

4

iris not blooming well

8