Posting in Texas Gardening not Trees because this is the state I have seen these beauties.
I like the hot pink ones but I have also seen a few, very few, in yards that have fire engine red flowers! Can you identify some true red varieties...and possibly any nurseries in San Antonio that carry it?
True RED Crepe Myrtals
I found the following in the current issue of Neil Sperry's Gardens:
Dwarf (3' - 5') - Cherry Dazzle
Intermediate (5' - 10') - Cheyenne, Tonto
Medium (10' - 20') - Centennial Spirit, Country Red, Dynamite, William Toovey
Tall (Over 20') - Arapaho, Red Rocket
Maybe someone else can recommend a local nursery.
Thanks Betty.
I'll have to look those up on Dave's here. I've seen some on a site once but "red" can sometimes refer to orangey or a darker hot pink.
I think how red will also be affected by nutrients received from soil...
I have Dynomite and it is red, no mistaking the color. I have been looking for cuttings of red rocket, to no avail. Red Rocket is another gorgeous and true red, but I'd say the Dynomite is just a tad more intense of a color. Again, I have seen both in person and there's not mistaking--they are red.
My new loves in the CM department are the dwarf CM shrubs. I think that's what they have planted in some of the explanades in the Sugar Land area. Knolan, correct me if I'm wrong.
Tir_,
Check out Rainbow Gardens on Bandera...I'm tellin' ya, they have just about any crepe myrtle that you can think of or wish to have. I'd be surprised if they didn't have that deep red one. I've seen those myself and they ARE beautiful. My favorite also...Rainbow is an incredible nursery. It keeps getting a #1 vote in the city and deals with lots of natives and unusual varieties.
http://www.rainbowgardens.biz/introduction.htm
I have seen this one oll over this year and almost bought on at Lowe's at half price but it had white fly. I don't need that. But I have to have one of those crepe myrtles.
They are gorgeous.
I too have 'Dynamite' in my landscape, and it's truly red. However, if you're interested in even a darker red, check out 'Siren Red'. After seeing it in person, I really wish I had it instead of my 'Dynamite'!
http://www.lacebarkinc.com/photo_gallery.htm
WOW, thanks folks! You've been a wealth of info! I appreciate the distinctions made when it comes to the intensity of the "reds."
The Bryan/College Station area is very big on community landscape and they spend lots of money (A&M to) on landscaping the cities and trimming every year. I think their city tree is the CM!!!! They have the pink ones lining many streets, it looks great, especially as they trim the tops each year so they always look pristine!
TxT: I was disappointed moving from that area to SA to see SA doesn't really have a set scheme or plan in place or in the works it seems. Have you ever been to Boerne? WOW. Went there this weekend, they have some incredible city landscaping! I have not been to RainbowGardens...just Millbergs. I will check them out, thanks!
Siren is the one I almost bought but did not want white fly for pets. There are some up the road blooming and I will try to get a picture of one. Are they east to root cuttings?
I know what you mean...Tir_
SA is just waaay behind in being a "green" city. Its definitely a "demolish and pave over" sort of city. Quite a shock moving back to SA after Boston, where just about everything is a civic project with a "green thumb" mentality.
We go to Boerne quite often...almost moved there when we moved to SA. But the commute was longer. But I do love the little city. Its growing fast tho! The beginnings of sprawl are just now beginning to show a wee bit...
Does anybody know if Dynamite (or the other true reds) are resistant to powdery mildew? I'm with y'all - I LOVE the reds I've seen!!!
I don't know but I love the reds. Saw those planted in Sugar Land area. Also know a couple who are members of the Sugar Land Garden Club, but don't live in Sugar Land and they have one in the front yard- next time I see one of them working in the yard I will ask which red they have. It's pretty and they've had it for a couple of years, very red, no sign of disease or fungus.
Ceejay... Here are two great websites with Crepe Myrtle cultivars, which have reds listed and their resistance to powdery mildew.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/trees/crapemyrtle/crape_myrtle_varieties.html
http://www.clemson.edu/crapemyrtle/varietieschart.htm
April - Will they talk to you? LOL
Thanks, Sweezel.
I am going to look for the Dynamite, checked it on Dave's and it is red hot!!!! LOVE IT!
CeeJay, of course, they are the kind that speak to everyone, even the likes of me! LOL. Actually they are very nice folks, I used to live 2 doors down and not that they would remember, but years ago we went to a Xmas party at their house- if that doesn't tell you how willing to speak w/ me they'd be I don't know what would! LOL.
Referring to the movie script. LOL
Well i probably won't share that w/ them right away...it will be a surprise.
new question
Does anyone have experience getting crepe myrtals from cuttings? I have a neighbor who will let me take some from theirs and I've bought the potting mix and some root hormone powder. Looking for any tips. Thanks!
Tir-Na-Nog , I've tried it before and it looked like it was working till I let it dry out (don't let it dry out!) Try taking a cutting w/ new growth, about 5" long or so. Remove any flowers or flower pods. Remove the lower growth (leaves) and dip it into RH. Before putting it into the potting soil, use something to poke a hole where the cutting will go so you don't knock off all the RH, pack the soil around the cutting, and keep moist.(!!) The new roots will come from the leaf nodes that are planted and you don't want too much extra growth above ground because you want the cutting to focus its energy on trying to make roots, not trying to keep everything above ground alive. Do keep some growth above ground 'cause that's where they'll get some sun and the other good stuff. Don't put it in direct sunlight...it'll fry! A nice, dappled shady area is good.
Perfect!!!! Sounds like you could write the directions on the RH label! Appreciate your insight!
You are welcome and I hope it works for you. I have 3 William Tooveys but they aren't red enough for me. I've also got two whites (Natchez) and one is doing great and the other can't seem to decide if it wants to grow, or if it wants to be white, or what! Its about to come out and grow somewhere where it can do whatever it wants...its in my moongarden right now and its starting to get on my nerves! I've also read that crepe myrtles w/ Indian names do better around here...can't remember WHY, but I do remember the mention of Indian names. (I can't remember EVERYTHING!!)
I looked up the Dynamite and it is RED as can be!!! But the cuttings I'll be able to get are as dark a pink as you can get....still some nurseries call this "red" but it's pink. I'll take what I can! I think they are all pretty.
Tir,
I just got back from Rainbow Gardens and finally picked up a Dynamite Crepe Myrtle for 6.99. They had some much larger ones that were gorgeous for 69.99. Oddly enough, they only had a few of the 6.99 ones left. Customers in front of us in line were buying one too...On the tag, it does in fact state that it is mildew resistant. They did have another red one...not a dynamite...but I don't remember what it was called. Probably the Siren Red.
You might look at the dwarf red crape myrtle called Victor.
Dynamite Crepe Myrtle are tall 20 foot.
Another that is a mini dwarf is Alamo Fire. I really want that one.
This message was edited Jul 9, 2006 5:08 PM
TxTur,
Awesome! I envy your new plant!!! But Rainbow Gardens I heard about by the guys on WOAI's gardening show....they said it's over by Sea World, quite a drive for me, thus I go to Milbergers. I'm over in Converse, edge of SA. Glad to know they HAVE them though! Milbergers did not!
Went to Milbergers in search of flower color to add to my front yard and things there were so limited in way of flowers! Went to HD and they had the same selection! I guess things just don't take the heat of our summers? Picked up the dreaded annuals though. I got little pots of them at HD 95 cents each, then checked out Lowe's same night, SAME PLANTS, SAME COMPANY growing them, 75 cents. I'm normally not a penny pincher but expecting a baby so I'm trying to live on a budget now. =) Still got some good plants.
dogmansis - the Indian-named crape myrtles are mildew resistant.
Here is a link to some in San Antonio area.
http://www.growise.com/fanickcrapemyrtle2.pdf
lol Tir_....its not EVEN close to Sea World...its on Bandera near Loop 1604. I'm not sure where those guys were tryin' to point their listeners...lol...They deal with lots of natives...and are making a point of showcasing low water plants right now... It was HOT out at the nursery this morning tho...! Phew....
Oh it was a lady caller asking where to shop....they asked where she lived. SHE said by Sea World and they recommended Rainbow Gardens.
Hot at the nursery! Whew, it was hot at my garden yesterday! Despite our heat I got out there at 7 to tidy the overgrown garden and finished at 1. I thought I would die!!!
ohhh...ok...lol
Yeah...its brutal....I got quite a few flowers and my lovely crepe myrtle..and its just too darn hot to plant anything until dusk...or sunrise tomorrow!
Interesting web site in your area. He developed some of the crape myrtles in your area and there is a wealth of information there. Sorry for butting in on your thread. Ted
http://www.plantanswers.com/about.htm
Thanks ceejaytown! I KNEW there was a reason. ...I'm a "sometimer". Sometimes I can remember things and sometimes I CRS!!!
Yeah, well, been there, done that, can't remember.
Saw 2 dwarf CM @ HD; both were "new" shrub types, one deep pink/fuscha (dang it wish I could spell) and a red- 15.00 +/- One was Razzleberry (pink one) and I can't recall the name of the red (Alzheimer's)- can't recall the name of the grower/nursery but it was one that HD carries ofte, green tag.
Excellent links Ted--thanks for posting those. By the way, the magilla perilla you gave me at spring RU is huge and very pretty.
Debbie
Thanks Debbie glad your is looking good.
Tried to order the Alamo Fire but they are out of them.
april, which HD
I've heard of the dwarf crepe myrtals, sounds awesome!