The ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle is a popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant summer color. This ornamental shrub or small tree offers a long period of striking blooms, making it a favorite for enhancing various landscapes. It provides visual interest throughout the warmer months.
Distinctive Features
The ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle is distinguished by its dark coral-pink or watermelon pink blooms. These crinkly, ruffled flowers appear in large clusters, 6 to 9 inches long, on branch tips from mid-summer to early fall. The abundant blooms create a vibrant display, often covering the plant’s foliage.
Beyond its blossoms, the ‘Comanche’ cultivar offers year-round visual interest through its unique bark and fall foliage. The smooth, exfoliating bark peels away in shades of gray, revealing an attractive mottled pattern underneath. Its dark green leaves, 2 to 4 inches long, contribute to its appeal. In autumn, this foliage transforms into striking hues of orange, red, and sometimes reddish-purple or yellow, adding seasonal beauty.
The ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle exhibits a multi-stemmed, upright, and broad-spreading growth habit. It matures to a medium size, reaching heights of 10 to 16 feet and spreads of 10 to 15 feet. It is a versatile choice for various garden applications, from a specimen plant to a flowering hedge.
Planting and Site Selection
Proper planting and site selection are key for establishing a ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle. These plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and abundant flowering. Adequate sunlight also helps prevent common diseases like powdery mildew. While they tolerate partial shade, insufficient light may result in fewer blooms and less vigorous growth.
The ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle adapts to various soil types, including clay, sand, acidic, and loamy soils, but performs best in well-drained conditions. Well-draining soil prevents waterlogged roots. If your soil is heavy clay, incorporating organic matter like compost or fine pine bark can improve drainage. The ideal soil pH for optimal growth ranges from 5.5 to 6.5.
The best times to plant ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtles are in the fall or early spring. Fall planting allows roots to establish before winter dormancy, while spring planting takes advantage of the upcoming growing season. When planting, ensure sufficient space, 3 to 5 feet between plants, for good air circulation and mature size. This spacing helps reduce disease risk.
Cultivation and Maintenance
Consistent watering is important for the ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle, especially during establishment and dry spells. Newly planted crape myrtles require regular watering, twice a week, for deep root development. During the first season, a newly planted tree may need about 10 gallons of water per week if there is no rain, preferably in two applications. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent oversaturation.
Once established, ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtles exhibit moderate to high drought tolerance. Supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods supports continued vibrant blooms and overall plant health. Water should be directed to the root area, avoiding wetting the foliage, to minimize fungal issues. Applying a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant flowering. An annual application of a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring, as new growth emerges, is beneficial. Look for formulations with a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio, such as 8-8-8, 10-10-10, or 12-4-8. Over-fertilizing, especially with too much nitrogen, can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms. Fertilizing should cease in late fall to allow the plant to harden off for winter dormancy.
Pruning is important for ‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtle care, promoting healthy growth and maximizing flower production as blooms appear on new wood. The optimal time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, diseased, broken, or crossing branches to maintain plant structure. Selective removal of interior canes improves air circulation and light penetration, deterring disease. Avoid excessive or improper pruning, often called “crape murder,” which harms the plant’s natural shape and encourages weak growth.
Common Problems and Solutions
‘Comanche’ Crape Myrtles are resilient, but can encounter a few common issues. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, stems, and flower buds. The ‘Comanche’ cultivar has good resistance to powdery mildew, but it can still occur, especially in humid conditions or shaded locations. Ensuring full sun exposure and good air circulation helps prevent this issue.
Aphid infestations are another common concern, leading to sooty mold. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on new growth, excreting a sticky substance called honeydew. This honeydew provides a medium for sooty mold to grow, appearing as a black coating on leaves and branches. While not harmful to the plant’s long-term health, sooty mold can detract from its appearance. A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids, and horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps can be used for more severe infestations.