Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining soils in full sun. Tolerant of a range of growing conditions including sandy loams, clayey soils, and occasional drought once established. Hardy in Zones 6-10.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lagerstroemia fauriei, commonly called Japanese crepe myrtle is a small, multi-stemmed, deciduous tree native to southern Japan. Mature trees will reach 20-35' tall with a similarly wide, rounded to vase-shaped canopy. The trunks have attractive cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark. The thick, glossy, ovate leaves will reach 4" long and 2" wide. Small, white flowers are held in 3-4" long terminal panicles and bloom in summer. L. fauriei and L. indica are the two most popular species used to create hybrid crape myrtles.
Genus name honors Magnus von Lagerstroem (1691-1759), Swedish botanist, Director of the Swedish East Indies Company and friend of Linnaeus.
The specific epithet fauriei Urbain Jean Faurie (1847-1915) a French missionary and botanist who traveled and collected extensively in East Asia, including in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
The common name Japanese crepe myrtle refers to the native range of this species, the crepe-papery inflorescences and the myrtle-like (Myrtus communis) features of the bark and foliage.
Problems
Resistant to powdery mildew. Watch for aphids and scale. Winter injury, particularly to top growth, may occur in Zone 6.
Uses
Use as a specimen or accent in a location where the showy bark can be highlighted.