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Tuskegee Crapemyrtle
Lagerstroemia 'Tuskegee'
Height: 20 feet
Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 6
Other Names: Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle
Description:
This attractive ornamental shrub or small tree is covered in vibrant deep pink-red blooms in summer, followed by red-orange fall foliage; a captivating focal point for the garden or border; exceptional cold hardiness and heat tolerance
Ornamental Features
Tuskegee Crapemyrtle is bathed in stunning panicles of hot pink frilly flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches from early summer to early fall. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage which emerges red in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn red in fall. The mottled tan bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.
Landscape Attributes
Tuskegee Crapemyrtle is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Tuskegee Crapemyrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Tuskegee Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.
