Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba' (Crape Myrtle)

Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba' is an attractive, showy cultivar of crape myrtle, a multi-trunked ornamental tree found in gardens the world over. The 'Catawba' variety was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum as one of the first releases from the program in 1967, and is still well regarded today for its consistent small to medium size, red-orange fall foliage, and its profusion of delicately textured pink-purple flowers that bloom in large clusters starting in mid summer and last all the way into the fall season. Growing to a consistent size of about 10-15' tall and wide (though usually right around 10-12'), the 'Catawba' cultivar may be a bit smaller than other crape myrtle selections, but it's sure to put on an excellent show.

Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba' prefers average, well-drained soils in full sun conditions, though it will also tolerate partial shade. As one of the U.S. National Arboretum selections, 'Catawba'' is highly disease resistant, and makes for an extremely colorful specimen tree selection throughout the year. And when you add in pollinator appeal, attractiveness to birds, and the variety's striking striking red-orange fall foliage and excising cinnamon-brown bark, you end up with a small specimen tree that is simply gorgeous all year round.