Tuscarora crape myrtle

Sun

Full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; choose a warm, sheltered position in cooler climates.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Once established, it tolerates dry spells, but deep watering during prolonged drought supports flowering.

Soil

Well-drained soil, including clay that does not remain waterlogged; slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal.

Height

15-25 ft (4.6-7.6 m)

Spread

15-20 ft (4.6-6.1 m)

Flowers

Large clusters of coral-pink, crinkled flowers from midsummer into early autumn; flowering is reduced in cool summers.

Foliage

Oval green leaves emerge with a bronze tint and turn orange to red in autumn. Older trunks develop smooth, peeling bark with tan and cinnamon-brown patches.

Growth

Moderate to fast in warm climates.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.8 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.3 m)

About 16 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root area begins to dry.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak; excess nitrogen encourages leaves at the expense of flowers.
• Leave enough room for the mature crown rather than relying on repeated size reduction.
• Remove shoots arising from the base if you want a clear-trunked tree.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, remove dead, damaged and crossing branches and any unwanted basal shoots. Preserve the natural framework; do not cut the main trunks back to stubs, as flowers form on new growth without this treatment.

Spring

Plant after severe frost has passed in colder regions, water thoroughly and mulch.

Spring

Check new growth before removing suspected winter damage; buds can open late.

Early summer

Inspect young shoots and leaf undersides for aphids, and check trunks for scale insects.

Summer

Water deeply during prolonged dry weather, especially while the tree is establishing.

Autumn

Avoid nitrogen feeding and heavy pruning so new growth has time to mature before winter.

Late winter

Thin out damaged or crossing branches and remove unwanted basal shoots.

• Use as a lawn specimen where the spreading crown and patterned trunks can be seen.
• Place beside a sunny patio for summer flowers, allowing space for the mature canopy and some fallen petals.
• Plant in a mixed border with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials.
• Train as a multistemmed tree against a plain wall or evergreen backdrop to show off the bark.

Garden styles it suits: Southern, Traditional, Modern courtyard, Mediterranean, Autumn colour and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Switchgrass, Catmint, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Autumn sage and Lilyturf.

Wildlife: Flowers supply pollen to bees and other insects, though they offer little or no nectar. The crown provides perching and some shelter for small birds.

• Poor flowering: shade, cool summers, excess nitrogen or pruning after growth begins can reduce bloom. Give it the sunniest, warmest available site and avoid heavy feeding.
• Aphids and sooty mould: wash aphids from reachable shoots with water; use insecticidal soap if needed, following the label and avoiding flowers visited by insects.
• Crape myrtle bark scale, particularly in parts of the United States: white, felted patches on bark may be accompanied by black sooty mould. Confirm the pest with a local extension service and use locally recommended, correctly timed controls.
• Leaf disease: Tuscarora has good powdery mildew resistance, but mildew and Cercospora leaf spot can still occur. Improve airflow, avoid wetting foliage and remove fallen diseased leaves.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No part is generally recognised as poisonous, but it is an ornamental plant rather than a food plant.

• Muskogee crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee')

  Has pale lavender flowers rather than coral-pink flowers; bark and overall habit are similar.

• Natchez crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Natchez')

  Has white flowers and conspicuous cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark rather than coral-pink flowers.

• Tuskegee crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Tuskegee')

  Has darker pink flowers and a more arching, spreading habit; flower colour can overlap, so a reliable nursery label is the best confirmation.

Lagerstroemia honours Swedish merchant Magnus von Lagerström, while the cultivar name 'Tuscarora' refers to the Tuscarora people.

Propagation. Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings later in summer. Seedlings will not reliably retain the characteristics of 'Tuscarora'.

Accepted botanical name

Lagerstroemia

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.