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Osage Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia 'Osage'

Phonetic Spelling
la-ger-STROH-mee-ah
Description

Osage Crape Myrtle is a hybrid small weeping flowering tree that has attractive red fall color and good drought tolerance.  It works well in urban areas like sidewalks and parking lots.  Or it makes an excellent specimen or large container plant.

Pruning should be completed in winter or early spring, as this plant blooms on new wood.  

A layer of organic mulch will help keep the plant retain moisture.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common crape myrtle pests and diseases.

More information on Lagerstroemia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#interesting bark#specimen#pink flowers#slow growing#deciduous shrub#winter interest#fall interest#flowering tree#street tree#summer flowers#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#fall color red
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#interesting bark#specimen#pink flowers#slow growing#deciduous shrub#winter interest#fall interest#flowering tree#street tree#summer flowers#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#fall color red
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lagerstroemia
    Family:
    Lythraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Open
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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)
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Brown, oval dehisent dry capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flower color varies white, pink, red, or lavender with ruffled crinkled appearance. 6"-12" long panicals appear on branch times in spring and summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2"-4" long green leaves with excellent red fall color
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Showy smooth peeling bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Thin red twigs with new growth
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Urban Conditions