The ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Muskogee’) is a valued ornamental tree, known for its prolific, long-lasting display of light lavender-purple flowers throughout the summer months. This hybrid cultivar, a National Arboretum introduction, crosses the common crape myrtle with the cold-hardy, mildew-resistant Japanese crape myrtle, resulting in superior resilience and a graceful, upright vase shape. Its resistance to common diseases makes it a reliable choice for adding color and structure to a landscape. Proper care ensures this deciduous tree reaches its full potential, showcasing its mottled, cinnamon-colored bark in winter and vibrant blooms in summer.
Establishing the ‘Muskogee’: Location and Soil Needs
The tree requires full sun exposure, meaning a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily, to encourage robust growth and maximize summer blooms. Planting in a shaded location will result in sparse flowering and can increase the potential for fungal issues due to lack of air circulation and retained moisture.
The tree is adaptable to various soil types but performs best in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (ideally between 6.0 and 7.0). When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep, ensuring the top of the root flare sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Since ‘Muskogee’ is a large cultivar (20–30 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide), adequate spacing is necessary to accommodate its mature size and natural vase-shaped form.
Routine Maintenance: Watering and Feeding
Watering needs shift significantly as the ‘Muskogee’ becomes established in the landscape. Newly planted trees require consistent, deep watering, typically one to two times per week during the first growing season, to encourage the development of a strong, extensive root system. Once the tree is established, generally after the first year, it becomes highly drought-tolerant and supplemental watering is only necessary during extended dry spells or periods of extreme heat.
Fertilization should be approached with caution, as excessive nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flower production and can reduce the tree’s cold hardiness. A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or a similar ratio, applied in early spring before new growth begins, is generally sufficient for established trees. Distribute the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree’s canopy, avoiding the area immediately adjacent to the trunk, and follow up with a thorough watering to help the nutrients penetrate the soil.
The Art of Pruning and Shaping
Pruning is best performed during the dormant season (late winter or early spring) before new buds emerge, as crape myrtles bloom on new growth. The goal of pruning a ‘Muskogee’ is to enhance its natural, upright vase-like structure and expose the attractive, exfoliating bark of its main trunks. Begin by removing basal suckers (shoots sprouting from the base or roots) and any small, twiggy growth from the lower third of the tree.
To maintain a strong structure, focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches that could create entry points for disease. Avoid the destructive practice known as “crape murder,” which involves severely topping the main trunks and leaving large, unsightly stubs. This technique ruins the tree’s form, leads to weak, spindly new growth that struggles to support flowers, and shortens the tree’s lifespan. Instead, use hand pruners or loppers to thin the canopy, selectively cutting back branches to a strong side branch or a bud to reduce height or width while preserving the tree’s graceful, natural shape.
Protecting Your Tree: Common Issues and Prevention
The ‘Muskogee’ cultivar has genetic resistance to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease. Prevention for fungal issues relies on proper site selection, ensuring the tree receives full sun and good air circulation, which helps foliage dry quickly. If the tree is marginally hardy in the northernmost extent of its growing range (USDA Zone 6), a layer of organic mulch applied around the base in late fall can help insulate the roots.
The most frequent pest issue is the crape myrtle aphid, a sap-sucking insect that excretes a sticky substance called honeydew. This honeydew becomes a growth medium for sooty mold, a black fungus that covers the leaves and branches, interfering with photosynthesis. Management begins with blasting light infestations off the leaves with a strong jet of water or applying insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to control the aphids, thereby eliminating the source of the honeydew.