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Meet the Breeder

Megan Mathey
Grand Haven, Michigan

CENTER STAGE® Pink

Crapemyrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

'SMNLIG'

PP#33,291

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Center Stage Pink Lagerstroemia's pink blooms contrasting against its black foliage in summer

Habit of Lagerstroemia Center Stage Pink in trial field.

Close up of Lagerstroemia Center Stage Pink's bright pink blooms in summer

Center Stage Pink crapemyrtle's black foliage pre-pink blooms in spring

Vigorous Grower
Rich Foliage
Heat tolerant

Description: The total package, this is one of the best performers in our University of Florida trials. Center Stage® Pink crapemyrtle bumps up the bloom date, intensifies the rich foliage color, and reduces the mildew. Megan Mathey has sorted through thousands of plants to select only the best, cleanest, most vigorous growing crapes on the market. With its ruffly pink flowers and glossy black foliage, Center Stage® Pink Lagerstroemia indica creates a striking show in the landscape as a specimen, hedging plant, or foundation plant. This stunning shrub also offers fall interest, deer resistance, and heat tolerance.

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.