Top 10 Medium Sized Crape Myrtle Cultivars

Crate myrtles can be found towering as small shrubs less than a foot tall to towering trees more than three stories high, but some of the best varieties for a home garden or front yard are at a more moderate height of 8-15'. Here are the top 10 medium sized crape myrtle cultivars.

Zuni

If you are interested in a less formal crape myrtle than some of the more formal, upright varieties, you might look into a Zuni crape myrtle. Zuni's have a more natural for and habit with loose bunches of violet flowers that resemble a flowering tree you might see growing in the wild. This type of crape myrtle grows from 8-12'.

Yuma

Lovers of lavender shades of flowers will like the Yuma crape myrtle, a broad growing tree that is on the large end of medium sized crape myrtles at over 15' tall. This cultivar also has nicely exfoliating bark and dynamic colorations during the autumn months.

Tonto

Tonto is another good choice for a modest sized crape myrtle that looks a more natural than formal. It has red flowers during the summer and shades of striking maroon in the fall. Tonto crape myrtles grow about the same size as Zunis.

Sioux

Sioux crape myrtles are particularly showy plants that make for a good addition to part of dynamic garden. During the summer, they have broad cones of long lasting pink flowers. The upright form of the branches and symmetrical formation of the flowers make this a good choice for a more formal garden or landscape as well.

Pecos

This unusual medium sized crape myrtle grows from 8-10'. Unlike most crape myrtles, the flowers of Pecos crape myrtles typically hang down like bunches of grapes or wisteria flowers.

Peppermint Lace

The delicate flowers of peppermint lace crape myrtles make this unique cultivar a popular choice. Whereas nearly all crape myrtles have flowers of a nearly universal color, peppermint lace crap myrtles have crinkled flowers of deep pink with white edging along the petals. This plant grows 8-12' tall.

New Snow

As the name suggests, the flowers of new snow crape myrtles are as white as newly fallen snow. This upright growing cultivar is a popular small tree to grow along roadsides and parking lots, with a self controlled habit and good natural protection from the elements.

Mandi

This type of can grow anywhere from 6-12' high and is a good plant to incorporate into a larger garden full of plants of various sizes. Although Mandi crape myrtles have very nice flowers of dark red, be aware that they are a little more susceptible to mildew problems than other medium sized crate myrtles.

Hopi

Hopi crape myrtles are another cultivar that are great for a more natural looking garden or landscape, with a more meandering habit and natural bunches of pink flowers in the summer. This cultivar grows from 8-10 feet tall.

Catawba

The flowers of a Catawba crape myrtle are of an identical shade of violet to that of the Catawba Rhododendron, making this cultivar an interesting candidate for an azalea and rhododendron garden. This upright crape myrtle grows from 12-15' tall.

Sources:

http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/trees/crapemyrtle/crape_myrtle_varieties.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia