The Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Bradberry’s Wine’) is a favored selection for gardeners. Its extended bloom period and vibrant color enhance landscape aesthetics. Combining beauty with resilience, it’s a popular choice for outdoor spaces due to its straightforward care.
Understanding Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle
The Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle offers a striking presence. This medium-growth plant typically reaches 10-12 feet tall with an 8-10 foot spread, forming an upright, freely branching habit. Its glossy dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop, with new growth appearing reddish-purple in the fall.
It blooms vibrantly from summer to fall, showcasing masses of showy red-purple or burgundy flowers. This consistent floral display creates a captivating visual impact. The cultivar boasts heavy resistance to powdery mildew, a common fungal issue, contributing to its robust health and lower maintenance. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, tolerating temperatures down to 0 to -10°F.
Planting and Growing Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle
Successful establishment begins with selecting a planting site. This plant thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms and healthy growth. Adequate air circulation also helps prevent disease.
Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle adapts to various soil types but performs best in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.0-6.5). Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper. This allows roots to spread and prevents settling too deeply.
When placing the plant, ensure the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the soil line. Gently loosen any circling roots before setting the plant to encourage outward growth. Backfill the hole, lightly tamping to remove air pockets, then water thoroughly to settle the soil. For multiple plants, space them about 10 feet apart for mature growth.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
After planting, consistent watering is important, especially during the first year. Aim for deep watering, providing about one inch of water per week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent oversaturation. Mature plants are more drought-tolerant but benefit from supplemental water during dry periods to support lush foliage and continuous blooming.
Crape myrtles generally do not require heavy feeding, as excessive nutrients can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of a balanced granular fertilizer (e.g., 8-8-8 or 10-10-10) in early spring before new growth emerges is usually sufficient. Distribute the fertilizer evenly beneath the plant’s canopy, away from the trunk, and water thoroughly.
Pruning is best performed in late winter before new growth begins. This timing allows for clear visibility of the plant’s structure and minimizes stress. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and maintain the plant’s natural shape.
Avoid “crape murder” (severely topping), as this creates weak, unsightly growth and compromises the plant’s long-term health. Instead, selectively thin branches to encourage strong structure and more robust flowering. In late fall, discontinue fertilization and reduce watering to prepare the plant for winter dormancy.
Common Issues and Solutions
While Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle resists powdery mildew, extreme environmental conditions could make it susceptible. Powdery mildew appears as white, dusty patches on leaves and shoots. Good air circulation around the plant helps in prevention.
Other potential concerns include common crape myrtle pests such as aphids and scale insects. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects on new growth, while scale insects appear as small, immobile bumps on stems and leaves. If infestations are observed, they can be managed with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, applied per product instructions. Consistent monitoring allows for early detection and prompt intervention, minimizing potential damage.
Landscape Uses and Benefits
The Bradberry Wine Crape Myrtle offers significant versatility in landscape design. Its upright habit and striking bloom color make it an attractive specimen plant or focal point. It can also be used in mass plantings to create a vibrant display or incorporated into mixed borders, providing a lush backdrop for other plants.
This crape myrtle is well-suited for informal hedges, offering privacy and seasonal color. For smaller spaces or patios, it can thrive in large containers, bringing its beauty closer to living areas. Beyond its long blooming season, it provides year-round interest with attractive fall foliage and smooth, often exfoliating bark, adding texture to the winter landscape. These qualities make it an appealing choice for diverse landscape applications.