ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE RESEARCH

EVALUATION OF CRAPE MYRTLE CULTIVARS

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the growth and flowering of Crape Myrtle selections.

PROCEDURE:

Thirteen Lagerstroemia selections were received from the National Arboretum (NA) on May 13, 1985. These are advanced generation seedling selections of L. indica x L. fauriei. These selections are mildew resistant with intermediate and dwarf growth habits with flower color ranging from white, pale pink, dark pink, lavender, and purple. Additional varieties were also included for evaluation upon receipt from the National Arboretum. All selections were transplanted in soil on a 12 x 12 ft spacing. In February, 1991 all plants were pruned to remove 2/3 of the total growth. Since 1992, in early March, all plants were pruned 4 - 6 inches above the previous pruning. Trees were fertilized in March with 25 lbs of 34-0-0 and 20 lbs of 0-0-60. The trees were irrigated only during dry conditions.

TREATMENTS:

 1. NA# 54973-Wichita   13. NA# 52711-Hopi

 2. NA# 52714-Miami     14. Low Flame

 3. NA# 54974-Biloxi    15. Pink Ruffle

 4. NA# 48471-Tuskegee  16. NA# 38449-Natchez

 5. NA# 54975-Yuma      17. NA# 38448-Muskogee

 6. NA# 54976-Comanche  18. NA# 30166-Seminole

 7. NA# 54977-Pecos     19. NA# 54981

 8. NA# 54978-Lipan     20. NA# Souix

 9. NA# 54979-Apalachee 21. NA# 58483

10. NA# 54980-Osage     22. NA# Souix

11. NA# 54982-Zuni      23. NA# 54972-Tonto

12. NA# 48472-Acoma     24. NA# 60884-Choctaw

DATA:

Flowering data.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

The crape myrtles in this experiment came from the National Arboretum.