Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Tuscarora' (Crape Myrtle)

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Tuscarora' is an attractive, tropical-looking hybrid cultivar of crape myrtle, a multi-trunked ornamental tree found in gardens the world over. The 'Tuscarora' hybrid was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum as a cross between two common crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia subcostata var. fauriei, and is noted for is medium-large size of 15-25' tall and 10-15' wide, as well as its showy profusion of dense, pink to coral-pink flowers that bloom in large clusters starting in mid to late summer and continuing all the way into the fall season. With showy, neon, coral pink flowers that attract both gardeners and pollinators, you might think that's the only draw, but in the fall the tree's dark green foliage also turns to striking shades of orange and red, adding multi-season interest alongside attractive, excising cinnamon-brown bark and persistent round seedpods.

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Tuscarora' 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, 'Tuscarora' is highly disease resistant, and makes for an extremely colorful specimen tree selection throughout the year. And when you add in the pollinator appeal and the trees' attractiveness to birds, it's hard to go wrong with a 'Tuscarora' crape myrtle for almost any garden.