Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica) 30 seeds (#178)

Crapemyrtle is a heat-loving, summer flowering shrub to small tree that originates from China. It is best known for its large clusters of brightly colored blooms that appear at its branch tips. These dazzling flowers can be in shades of white, red, purple or pink, depending on the cultivar (of which there are many). The glossy leaves of crapemyrtle emerge pale green to bronze in the spring, turn dark to medium green in the summer, then transition to bronze, yellow, orange or red in the fall. Mature plants may adopt a beautiful vase-shape and often have attractive smooth or exfoliating bark, so they add winter interest to the garden.
Crapemyrtle is tolerant of a wide range of well drained soils and grows best in hot sunny locations. Foliar powdery mildew can be a problem and resistant varieties are available. This great small tree works well for foundation plantings or as a specimen plant in mixed borders.

Genus - Lagerstroemia
Species - Indica
Common name - Crapemyrtle
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 7 - 9
Height - 15'-25' / 4.60 - 7.60 m
Spread - 15'-25' / 4.60 - 7.60 m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Clay, laom, Sand, well drained
Water requirements - Drought tolerant, average water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Street Trees
Bloom season - Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Leaf / Flower color - Green, Dark Green / Red, Purple, Pink, Hot Pink

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Seeds need to be scarified and stratified to facilitate germination.
1. To scarify place seeds in tap hot water for 24hrs. Let water cool down.
2. Place the seeds in moist medium in a Ziplock bag or container and place it in the fridge at +2-+4C for approx. 30 days.
3. After cold moist stratification sow 2-3 mm deep. Keep moist.
Germination will take 2-4 weeks.
Sowing outside:
Plant the crape myrtle seeds indoors in the winter. The seeds should germinate within three weeks. Allow the plant to grow indoors until the following autumn and then plant it in the landscape four weeks before the first frost.
Allow the crape myrtle to grow in a protected area of the yard, or indoors, until it is at least 30 cm (1') tall. This gives it a strong head start before placing it in the landscape.