Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: muskogee crape myrtle

Family: Lythraceae

Distribution: Garden origin

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 6b -5 to 0 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Lagerstroemia ‘Muskogee’ is one of several mildew resistant hybrids that were developed by the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. and given the names of Native American Indian tribes. 'Muskogee' was hybridized in 1964 and introduced into commerce in 1978. It is a large, deciduous, upright-spreading, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a vase-shaped crown that primarily features (1) glossy, elliptic to oblong, dark green leaves to 4" long that turn red-orange in fall, (2) terminal inflorescences to 10” long of crepe-papery, light lavender-pink flowers that bloom from early/mid-summer to early fall, and (3) gray to tan bark which exfoliates with age. Flowers give way to round seed capsules which often persist well into winter.
Best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Does well in loamy, clay soils with good drainage.