Natchez Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree, Fauriei Hybrid

Height at Maturity: 20-30′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′
Spacing: 15-20′

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Broad Canopy, Rounded Canopy, Arching

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: White

Flowering Period: Mid-Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

Flower Type: Single flowers in large rounded to elongated clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fall Foliage Color: Reddish Purple

Fragrant Foliage: No

Bark Color: Cinnamon-Red

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Moderate Drought, Heat

Description

When it comes to flowering trees, there’s simply no others more showy than Crape Myrtles. They bloom for up to 100 days during summer, when there are few other trees and shrubs providing that service in the landscape. Colorful fall foliage and attractive exfoliating bark in winter enhance their overall appeal. It’s no wonder they are so wildly popular among designers and gardeners!

A year round color factory, ‘Natchez’ is perhaps the most colorful, attractive and tallest growing of all Crape Myrtle trees. For up to 120 days of summer this magnificent tree produces large 12 to 16-inch long clusters of pure white flowers at the ends of long, arching branches that form a wide, umbrella-shape canopy. The large, dark green leaves provide a nice backdrop for the flowers and turn to colorful shades of yellow during the fall. But perhaps one of the most unique and outstanding characteristic is the cinnamon-red bark that provides captivating interest in the landscape during the winter months. What’s more, Natchez is a totally mildew resistant Fauriei Hybrid.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, the Natchez Crape Myrtle is one you’ll plant as a tree and not a shrub. It is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, in rows to line a drive or property line, or near patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces to provide shade. Excellent for framing the corners of homes and other buildings.

Suggested Spacing: 15 feet apart for solid hedge; 25 feet or more apart for space between trees

Growing Preferences

Natchez Crape Myrtle is very easy to grow. It is not picky about soil type provided the soil is well-drained. A moist but well-drained soil of average fertility is preferred. Full sun is preferred and results in heavier flower production. Light shade is tolerated but flowering will be diminished in more shade. Has shown excellent resistance to powdery mildew and is quite drought tolerant when established.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Crape Myrtle trees.

How To Plant A Crape Myrtle In The Ground Or In A Pot
How To Prune a Crape Myrtle Tree the Right Way

How To Fertilize & Water A Crape Myrtle
How To Prune a Dwarf Crape Myrtle
Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us!

We wanted two crape myrtle trees for our yard, but wanted to be sure we chose something that would thrive in our climate and soil. I talked with a gardener at Wilson Bros, and she was very helpful in guiding me to the best fit for our needs. The trees arrived less than a week later, in excellent condition. They had been carefully packed, and the soil was still moist. We followed the planting directions on Wilson Bros website, and our trees are healthy and flourishing. The price was reasonable, consistent with the big box store that didn’t carry the variety we wanted. It was a great experience, and I highly recommend.———————————————-Thanks for the wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG