Other Names:  Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle

Group/Class:  Thunderstruck Series

Brand:  Garden Debut

Description:

This spectacular ornamental shrub or small tree is covered in lavender blooms in summer, over contrasting near-black, glossy foliage; a captivating focal point for the garden or border

Ornamental Features

Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™ Crapemyrtle is clothed in stunning panicles of lavender frilly flowers with pink overtones at the ends of the branches from early summer to early fall. It has attractive black foliage with hints of burgundy. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn dark red in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™ 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.

Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™ Crapemyrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

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

Planting & Growing

Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™ Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.