Crape Myrtle Muskogee

Plant Overview

Crape Myrtle Muskogee (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Muskogee’) is a beautiful deciduous flowering tree admired for its abundant lavender-pink blooms, graceful branching, and attractive peeling bark. Its large clusters of delicate, crinkled flowers create a spectacular display throughout summer, while green foliage develops warm yellow, orange, and red tones in fall. This vigorous, heat-tolerant variety offers excellent resistance to powdery mildew and thrives in Florida's sunny landscapes. With its upright, spreading canopy, Muskogee Crape Myrtle makes an excellent choice for ornamental shade trees, driveway accents, large garden beds, and landscape focal points.

Key Plant Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Muskogee’

• Common Names: Muskogee Crape Myrtle, Muskogee Crepe Myrtle

• Plant Type: Deciduous flowering tree

• Mature Height: Approximately 20–30 feet

• Mature Spread: Approximately 15–20 feet

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast-growing

• Growth Habit: Upright, spreading, and vase-shaped

• Foliage: Green leaves turning yellow, orange, or red in fall

• Flowers: Large clusters of soft lavender-pink blooms

• Blooming Season: Late spring through summer

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7–9, with successful cultivation in suitable Zone 10 locations

• Florida Growing Zones: Best suited to North and Central Florida; also performs in parts of South Florida with favorable growing conditions

• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

• Special Features: Long summer flowering, attractive peeling bark, drought tolerance, and excellent powdery mildew resistance

Plant Care Guide

• Sunlight: Plant in full sun, providing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering.

• Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods.

• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil but adapts to Florida's sandy and clay soils.

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring if needed. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can reduce flowering.

• Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to remove damaged, crossing, or unwanted branches. Avoid severe topping, often called crape murder.

• Cold Protection: Cold-hardy throughout its recommended zones. Mature trees generally require no winter protection.

• Pests & Diseases: Resistant to powdery mildew but may occasionally experience aphids, bark scale, or sooty mold.

• Additional Care Tips: Allow adequate space for its mature canopy. Mulch around the root zone to retain moisture, keeping mulch away from the trunk.