The ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtle is a favored landscape choice, known for its resilience and striking appearance. This deciduous shrub or small tree offers a prolonged display of lavender-pink blooms through the summer months, often lasting up to 120 days. Beyond its vibrant flowers, the ‘Muskogee’ also features attractive exfoliating bark, which peels to reveal a mottled, cinnamon-colored trunk, contributing year-round visual interest.
Muskogee Crape Myrtle Planting Guide
Selecting a planting site for ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtle requires full sun, ideally receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering. Good air circulation around the plant also helps prevent disease. Dig the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, ensuring the root crown remains level with the soil surface.
Loosen any compacted roots before placing the tree. Backfill with native soil, firming it to remove air pockets, then water thoroughly to settle the soil. Space multiple ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles 15 to 25 feet apart to accommodate their mature size, which can reach 20 to 30 feet tall with a similar spread. Mulch the area immediately after planting to conserve soil moisture and deter weeds, but ensure the mulch does not touch the trunk.
Essential Care for Muskogee Crape Myrtle
Light Requirements
‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This exposure promotes abundant lavender-pink blooms throughout their long flowering season. While ‘Muskogee’ can tolerate some shade, insufficient light leads to fewer flowers and weaker growth.
Watering Needs
Newly planted ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles require consistent moisture to establish a strong root system. For the first three months, water deeply about two times per week. Once established, these trees are drought-tolerant. During extended dry periods or intense heat, supplemental deep watering once weekly promotes continued vigor and flowering.
Soil Preferences
‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles adapt to various soil types, performing best in well-draining soil. A slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 5.0 and 6.5, is preferred. Amending heavy clay or sandy soil with organic matter improves drainage and nutrient retention, though ‘Muskogee’ can tolerate a range of conditions once established.
Fertilizing Schedule
Fertilize ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles in early spring as new growth begins to boost health and bloom production. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is recommended, or one with a slightly higher phosphorus content for more flowers. Avoid over-fertilization, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of blooms.
Pruning Muskogee Crape Myrtle
Pruning ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles is best performed in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges, as they bloom on new wood. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain plant health and improve air circulation.
Thinning the tree’s interior by removing smaller branches enhances air movement, benefiting overall health and bloom quality. Shape the tree by removing lower limbs to create a tree-like form, typically leaving three to seven main trunks, and trimming inward or awkwardly angled branches. Avoid “crape murder,” which involves severely topping the tree by cutting branches to stubs; this creates weak, unattractive growth and can disfigure the tree. Instead, make cuts back to a larger branch, an outward-facing bud, or the branch collar.
Common Pests and Diseases
‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles are resistant to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease affecting many other crape myrtle varieties. This makes ‘Muskogee’ a resilient choice, especially in humid climates. However, like other crape myrtles, they can still be susceptible to certain pests.
Aphids are a common pest, appearing on new growth and secreting honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold. While sooty mold is unsightly, it does not directly harm the plant; controlling aphids typically resolves the issue. Japanese beetles can also feed on leaves and flowers, though ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles are not typically their primary food source. Good air circulation and overall plant health are the best preventative measures against most pest and disease problems.
Winter Protection
For ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles in colder hardiness zones (USDA zones 6-7), winter protection can be beneficial. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as pine straw or bark, around the base of the tree to insulate roots from freezing temperatures. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and rot.
Young trees, especially those planted within the last year, may benefit from additional protection during severe cold snaps. This can involve wrapping the trunk with burlap or using a frost cloth. Established ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtles in warmer zones (USDA zones 8-10) require minimal winter protection due to their hardiness.