Family
Lythraceae
Botanical Name
LAGERSTROEMIA indica( LITTLE CHIEF SERIES)
Plant Common Name
Dwarf Crapemyrtle
General Description
This is a group of dwarf, precocious crapemyrtles with several flower colors, including red, rose, pink and white. All descend from a deciduous species native to China and Korea -- Lagerstroemia indica -- that is normally a small tree but has given rise to many dwarf cultivars, including 'Little Prince,' which is the parent of this series.
Like all crapemyrtles, the bloom of the plants in this series is showy, with large clusters of flowers on the tips of the branches in summer. Removing the spent clusters promptly sometimes leads to a second bloom in autumn.
Remarkably, when started from seeds, plants in the Little Chief series flower in their first years even though they are still quite small. This makes them interesting to grow in containers before planting in the garden. Like most crapemyrtles, these grow and flower best in full sun on well-drained soil. In the garden, they're good for small spaces, specimens in the mixed border, and hedges.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
1'-5' / 0.3m - 1.5m
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Width
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
China, Korea
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red, Pink, Rose, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Orange
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Bark Color
Brown, Sandy Brown, Ivory, Gray, Slate Gray
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Bark Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
Yes
