Muskogee Crape Myrtle

Muskogee Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee', is one of the taller crape myrtles, a deciduous small tree with an upright, vase shaped crown and crepe textured panicles of light lavender pink flowers. Bark flakes away in tan and brown patches as the trunks age, and the leaves finish the season in yellow, orange, and red. Give it full sun, good air circulation, and well drained soil, and water regularly for about two years until it is established, after which it handles drought well. Aerosol salt tolerance is moderate. Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, it reaches roughly 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide, and flowers open in early summer and keep coming into fall. 'Muskogee' is a Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei hybrid from the US National Arboretum, bred for powdery mildew resistance; aphids favor it, so sooty mold can follow.