Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

10 other cultivars

tree

Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw'

Lagerstroemia x hybrida 'Choctaw'

The Story

Plant Bio

Lagerstroemia is a genus of deciduous small trees and shrubs native to warm-temperate and tropical Asia, prized for their papery summer blossoms and decorative bark. Flowers form large terminal trusses on current season growth, followed by vivid foliage coloration in fall and annual bark shedding that reveals smooth inner layers.

'Choctaw' is a hybrid growing up to eighteen feet tall with an arching canopy and broad terminal panicles of bright pink flowers. It exhibits strong powdery mildew resistance, smooth cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark, and striking bronze to maroon fall foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides multi-season interest with bright pink summer flowers, vibrant maroon fall foliage, and smooth cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark.

Highly heat- and drought-tolerant once established, serving as an exceptional structural focal point in low-maintenance landscapes.

Flowers attract hummingbirds, native bees, and other pollinators, while late-season seed pods feed songbirds.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

216"

Width

240"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Asia (parents)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer – Autumn

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a full-sun site with well-drained soil, setting the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding grade.
Water deeply twice weekly during the first growing season until the root system establishes fully.
Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches clear of the primary trunks.
Prune lightly in late winter while dormant, focusing strictly on dead wood, basal suckers, and crossing interior branches.

Pro Tip

Avoid topping or lopping back major limbs in winter; selective clearing of internal crossing twigs preserves the natural trunk architecture and prevents heavy, weak sucker growth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun to maximize blooming and foliage disease resistance
Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture during summer dry spells
Prune selectively in late winter to maintain clear trunk structure

Don't

Do not top branches severely, which ruins the bark structure and induces weak stems
Do not over-fertilize with high-nitrogen feeds, which reduces cold hardiness and flowering
Do not plant in soggy or poorly drained soil prone to standing water

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen treeStreet tree / Driveway liningPrivacy screenMixed shrub border focal point

Companion Plants

Buddleja Agapanthus Liriope muscari Salvia Hemerocallis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' questions

What zones can Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' grow in?

Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' bloom?

Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' typically blooms in summer through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' need full sun?

Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Crape Myrtle 'Choctaw' handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.