‘Velma's Royal Delight’ Crape
Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica‘Velma's Royal Delight’
Common Name: Crape myrtle
Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica
Plant Zone: 6 to 9
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Lythraceae
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Bloom Time:July - September
Bloom Color:Magenta pink
Light: Full sun
Water: Medium moisture
Maintenance: Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
General Culture
Best grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun.
Does well in loamy, clay soils with good drainage. Benefits
from a slow release fertilizer. Overly fertile soils tend to
produce lush foliage growth at the expense of flowering with
somewhat increased susceptibility to winter injury, however.
Water roots deeply, particularly in dry spells, but avoid wetting
the foliage. Plant in a protected location and apply a good
winter mulch.
Characteristics
This crape myrtle cultivar is a compact, upright, multi-stemmed
shrub which features dark green foliage turning orange to red
in fall and terminal, crepe-papery, 6-9" long inflorescences
(panicles) of magenta pink flowers from mid-summer to early
fall. Flowers give way to seed capsules which often persist
well into winter. In the South where winter hardiness is not
a problem, this plant can easily be grown as a small woody
shrub with a maximum size of 5' tall by 4' wide.
Problems
The two main disease problems of crape myrtles are powdery mildew
and fungal leaf spot. This cultivar reportedly has good resistance
to these diseases. Foliage may yellow (chlorosis) in alkaline
soils. Some susceptibility to aphids and scale.
Uses:
Good as a small specimen shrub or in groups. Shrub borders or perennial
borders. Plants can also be effectively planted as low screens
or informal hedges.
