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A
very rare Japanese species, the Yakushima Crepe Myrtle is a multistemmed
tree from 30- to 50-feet tall with extraordinary, peeling, orange-red to
dark-red to brown bark, much like the Madrone tree of the Hill Country.
Hybrids of this species and the common crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica,
are now available as the mildew-resistant hybrids named for Indian tribes.
This unnamed clone produces small white flowers, vivid yellow fall foliage
and is very cold-hardy. It is intermediate in height - shorter than
L.
fauriei 'Fantasy' (see below) and taller than L. fauriei 'Townhouse'.
A grove of these can create a magical garden setting with year-round interest.
Place it at least 25' away from a structure or overhead powerlines.
Grows best in full sun to half-day sun and needs a deep soaking every 2
weeks during a dry summer once established.
(Feed with 5 t0 7
Agriform
21-gram, 2-year fertilizer tablets at the bottom of the
hole at planting time.) |