The ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Powhatan’) is a popular ornamental tree or shrub. This cultivar is favored for its visual appeal, resilience, and ability to provide extended seasonal interest in various landscapes.
Defining Characteristics
The ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ is recognized for its distinctive physical attributes. This deciduous plant matures into an upright spreading tree, reaching 15 to 20 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Its dense, multi-stemmed habit forms a rounded to vase-shaped silhouette with strong branching. The foliage emerges coppery-bronze in spring, transitioning to a dark green during summer, then transforming into vibrant orange and red tones in autumn.
Its abundant lavender-pink or violet-purple flowers appear in dense clusters from early to late summer, or mid-summer into early fall. These showy blooms provide a prolonged period of color. Beyond the flowers, the mature bark exfoliates in attractive strips, revealing smooth, mottled patterns of light gray, tan, and brown underneath, offering visual interest in winter. This combination of seasonal changes in foliage, long-lasting blooms, and appealing bark makes the ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ a multi-season plant.
Planting and Site Selection
Successful establishment of a ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ begins with careful attention to its planting location and technique. This plant thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure optimal flowering and health. While it tolerates a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, well-drained conditions are important to prevent root issues. An acidic to slightly acidic soil pH, ideally between 5.0 and 6.5, is preferred for best growth.
When preparing for planting, dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself. This allows the roots to spread easily into the surrounding native soil. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is at or slightly above ground level to prevent future settling and ensure proper drainage at the crown. After placing the plant, backfill the hole with the excavated soil, gently firming it around the root ball to remove any air pockets. Immediately after planting, water the area thoroughly to help settle the soil and provide initial moisture.
Ongoing Care
Once established, the ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ benefits from consistent care to maintain its vigor and bloom production. During its first growing season, newly planted crape myrtles require regular watering, often needing deep watering two to three times per week, allowing the top couple of inches of soil to dry slightly between sessions. Established plants are quite drought-tolerant but will benefit from deep, infrequent watering during prolonged dry periods, aiming for about one inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Always water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry and minimize the risk of fungal issues.
Fertilization supports robust growth and prolific flowering. An application of a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges is generally beneficial. For enhanced blooming, a high-phosphorus fertilizer can be applied in late spring to early summer before flowers appear. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with high nitrogen, as this can promote leafy growth at the expense of blooms and potentially reduce cold hardiness. Cease fertilization in late fall to allow the plant to harden off for winter dormancy.
Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, as crape myrtles bloom on new wood. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and plant health. Additionally, remove suckers that emerge from the base of the plant or from the ground. A 2 to 4-inch layer of organic mulch, such as pine bark, spread around the base of the tree (keeping it a few inches away from the trunk) helps conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. In colder parts of its hardiness range (USDA Zones 6-7), mulching can also provide some root protection during winter.
Common Problems and Solutions
While ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtles’ are generally resilient, they can encounter a few common issues. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, can appear as a white, powdery coating on leaves. Selecting resistant varieties and ensuring good air circulation around the plant helps prevent this. Avoiding overhead watering, especially late in the day, also reduces moisture on foliage that can promote fungal growth.
Pests such as aphids may sometimes feed on new growth, causing distorted leaves or sticky residue. Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap can manage these infestations if they become problematic. Crape myrtle bark scale is another potential pest, appearing as white, waxy encrustations on stems and branches. Systemic insecticides or dormant oil applications can help control this pest.
Environmental stressors like drought can be mitigated by ensuring proper watering during establishment and supplemental irrigation for mature plants during extended dry spells. Cold damage in marginal zones can be minimized by adequate mulching and, for young plants, providing temporary winter protection like burlap wraps.
Landscape Applications
The ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtle’ offers significant versatility for various landscape designs, thanks to its attractive features. Its moderate size and multi-season appeal make it suitable as a striking specimen plant, drawing attention with its vibrant summer blooms and exfoliating winter bark. It can be incorporated into mixed borders, providing height and a burst of color when in flower.
For privacy or visual screening, planting multiple ‘Powhatan Crape Myrtles’ in a mass planting or hedge creates an effective barrier. Its upright growth habit also lends itself well to lining driveways or property lines, forming an elegant tree-lined approach. The cultivar’s adaptability also allows its use in general garden settings, accentuating different areas with its seasonal interest from spring foliage to autumn color.