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LAGERSTROEMIA 'Choctaw'

Image of Lagerstroemia 'Choctaw'

The U.S. National Arboretum

Family

Lythraceae

Botanical Name

LAGERSTROEMIA 'Choctaw'

Plant Common Name

Chocktaw Crapemyrtle, Hybrid Crapemyrtle

General Description

A small, deciduous tree, ‘Choctaw’ crapemyrtle is mildew-resistant and displays cheery, bright-pink flowers across its upright and rounded canopy in summer. Its exquisite bark conjures up visions of lizard's skin with blotches of tan, cinnamon, olive-green and cream. The leaves in autumn turn shades of yellow, red and bronze.

As for other crapemyrtles, plant ‘Choctaw’ in a well drained acidic to neutral soil. Full sun is mandatory for best flowering and overall plant fullness and form. This shrub is quite drought tolerant once established. Pruning the small branch tips after the initial summer flowering can produce a smaller, second flowering by early autumn. Severely pruning the crowns of crapemyrtles, often called hat-racking, is a bad and unhealthy landscapers' practice.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    11 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    25'-30' / 7.6m - 9.1m

  • Width

    18'-28' / 5.5m - 8.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink

  • Fruit Color

    Green, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Yellow, Dark Red, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Olive, Gray Green, Tan, Sienna, Ivory

  • Bark Color Modifier

    Multi-Color, Spotted/Mottled

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No