£ FNGA's Florida in full sun will result in the best flower Hardiness: Zone 7 production. They are tolerant of a wide Mature Height x Spread: 15' x 15' range of soil types, but grow poorly in Plants of the Year wet soils. Characteristics: Upright, rounded plant reaching 15' in height (Part 2) Common Name: Acoma crape myrtle Horticultural Name: Lagerstroemia SIOUX CRAPE MYRTLE Editor's Note: In the last issue we told indica 'Acoma' Crape myrtle derives its common name you about the program started by the Hardiness: Zone 7 from its crepe-like crinkled petals and Florida Nurserymen and Growers the resemblance of its leaves to the true Association that will identify superior Mature Height x Spread: 12' x 12' myrtle, Myrtus communis. plant material that performs well but is Classification: Small tree Among over 75 often underutilized. If you are looking Landscape Use: Patio tree, focal point cultivars being for proven plant material to provide Characteristics: Distinctive horizontal tested in Florida, color and diversity on your course, you the National may want to give these 1998 Florida growth habit with white pendulous flowers Arboretum hybrid Plants of the Year a closer look. 'Sioux' was The program's selection committee TONTO CRAPE MYRTLE selected because includes horticulturists, nurserymen, Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle) was of several educators, architects and other introduced to the southern United States outstanding professional members of the over 150 years ago from Asia. Since that characteristics. horticulture industry from central, north time, many new hybrids have been This tight, vase- and south Florida. Here are the rest of developed. Among these introductions shaped cultivar reaches about 20' in the selections for 1998. was an indica x height and develops blooms that are a fauriei named beautiful shade of medium pink. The Trees 'Tonto.' bloom usually lasts from July through September. Because of its almost ACOMA CRAPE MYRTLE 'Tonto' is an columnar habit, the Sioux is an upright, rounded Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle) is excellent choice for narrow spaces. A 9 plant reaching commonly referred to as the "Lilac of year-old Sioux crape myrtle at the about 15' in the South." Over 75 cultivars are University of Florida's Research and height. It currently being evaluated in north Education Center in Monticello is 20' Florida. Of these, produces the best tall and only 11' wide. Fall foliage color the Florida Plants red flowers of is an intense red. The plant shows an of the Year any of the excellent resistance to powdery mildew. selection disease-resistant committee has hybrids. The red panicle may be up to Crape myrtles are seen throughout chosen three. One eight inches in diameter. Bloom usually Florida today and offer a tremendous of the winners begins in July and extends through display in the summer. When looking selected was September. Its bright maroon colored for that medium-size tree to highlight 'Acoma.' This fall leaves drop in winter, revealing a the landscape, consider 'Sioux.' plant will reach a living sculpture. This USDA release Crape myrtles are very tolerant of mature size of exhibits good powdery mildew drought and a wide range of soil types. about 12' x 12'. resistance. They perform poorly in wet soil An outstanding characteristic of the With very few pest problems and low conditions. white flowering 'Acoma' is its very fertility requirements, crape myrtles Common Name: Sioux crape myrtle distinctive horizontal habit of growth. make an excellent choice for the Horticultural Name: Lagerstroemia The tree usually begins blooming landscape. They also require very little indica 'Sioux' around late June and continues for pruning. Prune to develop shape or about three months. remove suckers, but avoid hard pruning Hardiness: Zone 7 The bark color is in attractive shades of on an annual or regular basis. Tip Mature Height: 20' cream and beige. As fall approaches, pruning to remove old flowers will Landscape use: Narrow spaces, look for striking foliage color that gives promote repeat blooming. landscape highlight way to fine branching structure. This Crape myrtles tolerate a wide range of Characteristics: Tight, vase-shaped interesting structure lends itself to a nice soil types, but perform poorly in wet cultivar that reaches 20' in height display with night lighting in the winter. soils. Best flowering and disease and develops medium pink blooms Acoma is a National Arboretum hybrid resistance is achieved by planting them and has excellent powdery mildew in full sun. Plant descriptions and photos provided resistance. by the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Common Name: Tonto crape myrtle Association, 1533 Park center Dr., Crape myrtles are adaptable to climatic Horticultural Name: Lagerstroemia Orlando, FL 32835, 407-295-7994, Fax conditions throughout Florida. Planting indica 'Tonto' 407-295-1619, e-mail: [email protected] .