Other Names:  Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle

Description:

This attractive, densely branched miniature selection is covered in rose and white bicolor blooms in summer, followed by deep red fall foliage; a captivating focal point for the garden or border; good disease resistance

Ornamental Features

Bicolor Crapemyrtle is clothed in stunning panicles of rose frilly flowers with white overtones at the ends of the branches from early summer to early fall. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage which emerges brick red in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn dark red in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Bicolor Crapemyrtle is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Bicolor Crapemyrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Bicolor Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.