Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei · Deciduous Broadleaf
Plant Family
Lythraceae
Tree Category
Flowering Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Natchez (likely, due to the cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6-9; heat-tolerant and moderately cold-hardy.
About This Tree
A multi-stemmed deciduous tree known for its smooth, exfoliating cinnamon-colored bark and large clusters of showy flowers. It has a vase-shaped to rounded canopy and a moderate to fast growth rate.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, elliptical to oblong leaves, roughly 1-3 inches long; dark green in summer turning brilliant orange to red in fall; opposite or whorled arrangement.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive exfoliating bark that peels away in thin strips to reveal a smooth, cinnamon-brown to light beige inner bark, becoming more dramatic with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Asia (China, Korea, Japan); widely adapted to the Southeast United States
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring; flowers mid-to-late summer; enters dormancy in late fall after vibrant foliage changes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun for best flowering; moderate water needs; highly drought-tolerant once established in well-drained soil.
Mature Size
20-30 feet in height with a similar spread; grows 1-2 feet per year; can live 50+ years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent resistance to powdery mildew (especially fauriei hybrids), spectacular exfoliating bark, and long-lasting summer blooms.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts bees and pollinators with its nectar-rich summer flowers; provides cover for small birds and nesting sites in its dense branch structure.