Crape
Myrtle
Buying Hints
1. The
Blooming Season
Our patented Lagerstroemias(Miniature Weeping Crape Myrtles) begin blooming in mid to
late May and continue blooming throughout the summer until about October or the first
frost. Total blooming period is mid-May through October(5 months)
Variety 'Lafayette(left) and 'Worlds Fair'(right)
Photo of Daryl
Chopin taken at the Jeff and Brian Chopin Home
(click photo)
2. Time of Bloom
Just as important as the length of the blooming period is the time or
season of bloom. Our Patented Crape Myrtles bloom during the hot summer months when most
other perennial plants are finished.
3.Cold
Hardy
Many growers are quick to point out that crape myrtles are basically
warm area plants - and that's true, especially if they are trees planted in the landscape
and subject to nature. Our Mini Crapes can be used as a landscape plant and still be hardy
to Zone 5. That's one-half of the U.S., including the Sun Belt and the West Coast. But
possibly its greatest use may be as a blooming pot plant and/or hanging basket. In a
6" pot or 8" hanging basket the plants are cold hardy to about -15F when left
outdoors.
Photo taken on Steps of Historic Washington,
Pa. County
Courthouse scene of the Historic "Whiskey Rebellion"
Grown in Zone 5(-15F) Pittsburgh, Pa
shown is variety
'Bicolor'
4. Heat
Loving
Another excellent selling point: the only perennials that thrived and
bloom during mid-summer heat waves are Crape Myrtles. And remember there is not a single
city in the U.S that does not get HOT in the summer.
5.Versatility
The Miniature Weeping Lagerstroemias can go from a liner to a 6"
pot or 10" basket for Mother's Day and All-Summer Sales. Since I have genetically
bred crape myrtle trees into miniatures, some have called them "instant bonsai".
click photo
Restaurant Landscaped with 2 three year old plants in
Whiskey Barrels
Shown is variety 'Sacramento'(foreground) and
'Baton Rouge'(background)
6. Attractiveness of Foliage
Many have called Our Patented Lagerstroemias "foliage plants that
bloom".
click photo
Notice the "Layering" of Branches
Shown is 3 year old variety 'Creole'(note rare
layering-branch growth habit)
7. Energy Efficient
We like to call our Patented Mini Weeping Crape Myrtles the "plant of NEXT CENTURY 2000"
because of its energy efficiency. Growers of liner can cut back their greenhouses to 50°F
in the winter and early spring.
8.
Speed of Crop
Our Patented Lagerstroemia Liners to finished product in only 90 days
or less! This is one of the fastest growing plants you'll ever try. Use 3 liners(small
plants) to finisha 10" Hanging Basket for Mothers Day or Late Spring Sales.
9.
Length of Salable(ie, Blooming) Plant Material
From Mother's Day through October, the Mini weeping Crape Myrtle is
salable and in full bloom from late-May through September.
10. Patented
Our Miniature Weeping Crape Myrtles varieties have valuable U.S. Plant
Patents.
11. Breeding & Research Potential
We are constantly
developing new Lagerstroemia varieties, colors, earlier bloomers. We are currently engaged
year 'round forcing experiments.
Two examples
of 3 year old variety 'Bicolor' shown on the front steps of the Washington
County, Pa. Courthouse, Home of the Famous "Whiskey Rebellion"
(click photo to enlarge)
