Lagerstroemia subcostata var. fauriei
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lagerstroemia fauriei
- Phonetic Spelling
- la-ger-STROH-mee-ah sub-koh-STAY-tuh FAR-ree-ey
- Description
-
Japanese crape myrtle is a multi-stemmed, flowering, broadleaf deciduous tree variation that is more cold-hardy and grows 20 to 30 feet tall with arching branches and a vase-shaped habit. Its leaves are simple, elliptical, and green with showy white flowers. This plant is from Yakushima Island, Japan, and is typically found in warm, temperate forests or along stream banks. This small tree has spectacular peeling, copper-colored bark. It is one of the parent species for the "Indian Tribe" hybrids (including the very popular 'Natchez') introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum.
Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained, loamy, sandy, and clay soil. This species is tolerant of slightly acidic to alkaline soil. A layer of organic mulch will help keep the plant retaining moisture. Pruning should be completed in winter or early spring, as this plant blooms on new wood. Removing the spent flowers will encourage a second bloom and prevent fruit formation. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Best planted in a spacious location where the ornamental, peeling, copper-colored trunks will be a feature.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids and scale. Susceptible to powdery mildew and sooty mold, but disease resistance has been shared with this variety.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Japanese Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction)
Small tree, upright, multi-stemmed, peeling, copper-orange, cinnamon, and gray bark; white flowers; drought-tolerant, - 'Kiowa'
Large shrub or small tree, cinnamon-brown and gray peeling bark, pure white flowers, orange and red fall foliage - 'Townhouse'
Grows up to 25 ft. tall; smooth, cinnamon-red bark; fragrant white flowers; orange, yellow, red fall foliage;
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction)
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction), 'Kiowa', 'Townhouse'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction)
Small tree, upright, multi-stemmed, peeling, copper-orange, cinnamon, and gray bark; white flowers; drought-tolerant, - 'Kiowa'
Large shrub or small tree, cinnamon-brown and gray peeling bark, pure white flowers, orange and red fall foliage - 'Townhouse'
Grows up to 25 ft. tall; smooth, cinnamon-red bark; fragrant white flowers; orange, yellow, red fall foliage;
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction)
- 'Fantasy' (JC Raulston Arboretum introduction), 'Kiowa', 'Townhouse'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lagerstroemia
- Species:
- subcostata
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan and Nansei-shoto
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 19 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a capsule, green, round, and succulent at first, then ripening to dark brown or black on drying. The fruit measures less than 0.5 inches wide.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small white flowers bloom in loose, narrow, terminal panicles, measuring 2-4 inches long. Each bloom is less than 1 inch in diameter. Blooming occurs during the summer, from June through August. The showy white flowers can sometimes have a pinkish tint.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are dark green, simple, opposite, and elliptical, oblong, or ovate. Each leaf measures 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide, with entire margins. The fall foliage color is not showy and typically stays green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Attractive peeling cinnamon or copper-brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are smooth, rounded, and reddish to yellowish-brown.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
- Salt
