Zuni Crape Myrtle Shrub

If you adore the passion of purple, the Zuni Crape Myrtle Shrub (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Zuni') is a perfect fit for your landscape. You'll smile all growing season long, as luscious, long flower panicles cover the delicate, arching branches.

Whether you spell Crape Myrtle as one word or as Crepe Myrtle, Zuni is a good-looking large deciduous shrub that can be pruned up into a small tree. There is always something pretty to look at, and you can use it just about anywhere in your garden. We swear the cool color helps bring relief on the hottest summer days. Zuni is just a lovely shade of pale purple!

In spring, the young new foliage has shiny red edges. Next, glossy leaves deepen into a deep, summer green. You'll love the way a mature Zuni develops into such a nicely rounded shape. This symmetrical form is both eye-catching and deeply satisfying. This is a tree that you'll never grow tired of.

Add large, rich, dark lavender flowers that almost seem to glow in the sunlight and now you're really talking. The blooms are evenly held from top to bottom across the whole plant much to the delight of your Hummingbirds and butterflies! This display keeps on coming all summer long, and well into fall.

No fall is complete without some harvest color, and here again, Zuni really delivers! The leaves will change to a dramatic orange-to-red-maroon color in the autumn months. Once the leaves fall, you'll start to truly appreciate the handsome peeling bark ranging from cinnamon to light brown. The bark adds winter interest, which is so welcome during the long cold season throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 10.

Planting and Application:

Held in feathery sprays, Zuni foliage casts a refreshing light shade and provides an airy, friendly kind of privacy. Zuni Crape Myrtle can be planted as a specimen or in groups. It looks very attractive when underplanted with smaller shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers.

Zuni is a compact variety and can easily fit all around your yard! Remember, you can be very creative about Crape Myrtles. Leave the lower branches on and let it turn into a pretty privacy hedge.

Imagine a long, sweet informal hedge of these beautiful flowers in your yard. Gain a welcome sense of privacy on your patio. Delineate your lot line in a friendly way. To create a hedge that grows together, plant them 3 or 4 feet apart, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next.

Include them on the east or north side of a garden border. You'll create a stunning backdrop for your perennials, spring-flowering bulbs, and smaller shrubs!

Remove the lower limbs to train it up into a small tree. Keep 3 or 4 of the strongest trunks to create a multi-stemmed plant. Or, select a single to create a single stem or standard tree. Go with a symmetrical design and plant two on either side of your front door. Plant a single specimen 15 feet from the corner of your house to anchor a foundation planting.

However you choose to use it, you'll love those exposed sophisticated branches with that beautiful bark. Use a tree-form Zuni just about anywhere!

March several small trees along your street parking. Use a natural curved grouping near the patio to create a focal point. If you can, site it to the west of your seating area for a little welcome shade in the late afternoon.

• Fabulous Dark Lavender-Violet Flowers
• Blooms For Pollinators & Hummingbirds From July to Frost
• Dramatic Fall Color & Handsome Exfoliating Bark
• Four Seasons of Interest
• Outstanding Specimen & Accents & Effective Privacy Screen Hedge

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Crape Myrtles grow best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and in open areas where air circulation is good. Zuni is a very healthy variety with disease and mildew resistance. However, it's always a good idea to site it where it will receive the drying rays of the morning sun. This is truly an easy-to-grow shrub.

During the first year, follow a regular watering schedule to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once the roots are established in your soil, this tree is drought tolerant. For the best flowers, give supplemental water in spring as needed. Apply a three-inch layer of pine straw or pine bark mulch. Pull the mulch at least six inches away to ensure that the mulch doesn't touch the stems.

All new growth is lush and the flowers bloom on this year's growth (new growth) so Crape Myrtles should be pruned in the spring. Deadhead blooms as they fade to keep the shrub tidier and encourage a rebloom!

• Easy Care In Full Sun
• Any Well-Drained Soil
• Becomes Moderately Drought Tolerant Once Established
• Can Be Kept Much Shorter with Pruning in Spring
• Deer & Disease Resistant

Airy foliage and purple sprays all growing season long and gorgeous four-season interest can be yours! Order your Zuni Crape Myrtle today from Nature Hills and fall in love!