Tree of the Month: “Natchez” Crape Myrtle
The Natchez Crape Myrtle
Natchez crape myrtle trees are among the most popular ornamental trees in the Southern US, and these distinctive and distinguished trees can be found in gardens across Nashville. Crape myrtles are beloved for their compact size, sprayed shape, and tufts of fluffy flowers, and the Natchez variety is a favorite choice for its hardy nature and bright, white blooms. Here, we’ll go over why it’s so widespread.
Characteristics of a Natchez Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle trees are native to eastern Asia, where they grow in mild to warm weather with both wet and dry seasons. They were introduced to America through the horticultural trade in the late 1700s, where they readily adapted to the southeastern climate of the United States. Although a non-native, this tree isn’t very invasive; still, it can be found growing on forest edges in unmanaged areas. The Natchez crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia x “Natchez”) is a hybrid between the common crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and the Japanese crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei). This robust variety has a particular visual appeal, establishing seasonal interest year-round.
Natchez crape myrtles are hardy trees that have one of the most extended flowering seasons, blooming in late spring and throughout summer. The tree is deciduous, and its smooth, cinnamon-colored bark and multiple thin trunks ensure that when it isn’t covered with leaves and flowers, the dark orange branches continue to provide color and shape to landscapes throughout the winter.
As an ornamental tree, crape myrtles like to be on display in full sun, which they need for a full spring blossoming. They can tolerate some shade, but they won’t flower without the sun. Having some open space and the heat from the sun also helps dry any rain or dew from the leaves, helping to prevent potential mold issues. The Natchez crape myrtle is a drought-tolerant tree as well, and it usually won’t need to be watered beyond its first year unless the weather has been very hot and dry for a long period of time.
Natchez crape myrtles have some versatility when it comes to soil preference; while they require slightly acidic, well-draining ground, they will do fine in either sandy or clay-dominant soil.
Despite being a non-native plant, some birds and insects do nest in crape myrtles where they are found (although they don’t compare to native trees in hosting biodiversity). Crape myrtle trees produce small, dark-colored berries that birds will eat throughout the fall, which contributes to its invasive potential. However, due to the tree’s small size and intolerance of much shade, it tends to only proliferate in the sunny edges of unmanaged woods.
How Big Does a Natchez Crape Myrtle Get?
The compact size of a crape myrtle allows it to fit easily into a canopy’s understory or a small-to-medium space in your yard. With dwarf varieties of crape myrtles reaching up to 10 feet tall, the Natchez variety is considered a large variety, with a full-grown Natchez crape myrtle usually reaching up to 25 feet, and sometimes up to 35. It gets just about as wide, with a firm, arched crown. A Natchez crape myrtle should be planted at least 15 feet from a house, or more if it will need more room to spread (crape myrtles take well to pruning, though, and can be kept smaller than their expected mature size). Smaller dwarf varieties are better foundation plants and can be installed closer to a building.
As a smaller understory tree, crape myrtles have shorter lifespans than big canopy trees. Whereas many types of crape myrtles live for a few decades on average, Natchez crape myrtles generally have a lifespan of about 50 years.
How Fast Does a Natchez Crape Myrtle Grow?
The Natchez crape myrtle is a very fast grower, particularly in relation to its size. This tree can grow several feet per year, taking on three or four feet annually until it reaches its mature height. As it grows over the years, the amount of foliage and annual flowering will increase, and so will the amount of droppage from the tree. A crape myrtle will lose its leaves and flowers every fall, which might make a mess if planted along driveways and walkways. While this organic material can add lots of good nutrients back into the soil beneath the tree, it will rot and accumulate on impermeable surfaces unless cleaned up regularly.
Crape Myrtles and Pests
For the most part, crape myrtles tend to be of low concern when it comes to pests; however, there are a few exceptions. Crape myrtle trees are short and have dense, sap-filled leaves that certain insects like aphids like to feed on. In the last decade, a type of scale (or mealy bug) has started to favor crape myrtle trees in the southern US. Aphids and scale secrete honeydew from the sap they eat, which may attract sooty mold or powdery mildew, which can also show up if the tree is getting too little sun or staying too moist.
While the bugs damage leaves as they eat them, molds block sunlight from reaching the leaf surface, preventing photosynthesis. Sometimes, a tree can be cleaned off; other times, it may need a more intense solution. In this article on bark scale, we discuss how to handle a pest infestation.
Good Urban Trees
The Natchez crape myrtle is a good urban tree: it’s hardy, space-efficient, and showy throughout the year. We’ve all seen them around town, and if you have a space to fill in your yard, consider acquiring a Natchez crape myrtle through the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps’ annual tree sale, open from October through February. If you can’t plant one of your own, we can always use a helping hand planting around town! Consider volunteering with us, and subscribe to our email newsletter to stay informed on care tips and information of note about our local canopy.