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Meet the Breeder

Megan Mathey
Grand Haven, Michigan

CENTER STAGE® Coral

Crapemyrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

'SMNLIJ'

PP#33,292

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Center Stage Coral crapemyrtle's bright coral flowers contrasting against its black foliage

Lagerstroemia Center Stage Coral's small and tidy habit in fields.

Heat tolerant
Bright Coral Flowers
Intense Foliage Color

Description: A lovely coral crapemyrtle for the Center Stage series. Trialed and tested at the University of Florida, the breeding goal of the Center Stage crapemyrtles is to bump up the bloom date, intensify the foliage color, and reduce the mildew. Megan Mathey has done all that and more, delivering a vigorous growing, coral-flowered beauty to round out this top-flight series. Center Stage® Coral Lagerstroemia indica sports ruffled bright coral flowers that contrast beautifully with its glossy, deep purple-black foliage. A striking choice for a specimen, hedging plant, or foundation plant, Center Stage® Coral crapemyrtle brings a touch of drama to the landscape.

USDA Zone: 6b-10 (-10°F/-23°C)
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 6-12'
Width: 8'
Finish Time: 1 season
Type: Deciduous
Bloom Time: summer
Flower Color: Pink
Foliage Color: Black
Liner Sizes: 2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

General Care

Soil

Moist, well drained soils are best, but crapemyrtle is widely adaptable, including to compacted urban soils.

Pruning

Blooms on new wood. Pruning depends on the plant's role in the landscape, however, these large, tree-like crapemyrtles are best pruned only to develop an appealing form. Regular pruning or cutting back should generally be avoided