Catawba Crape Myrtle

Botanical name:
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Catawba’

Common name:
Catawba Crape Myrtle

Plant type:
Deciduous flowering ornamental tree / large shrub

Hardiness zone:
USDA Zones 7–10
(Zone 6 possible with protection, but tip dieback likely in your Northeast market)

---

Mature size

Height:
10–15'

Width:
10–12'

Growth rate:
Moderate

---

Growth habit

• Upright vase-shaped to rounded canopy
• Typically multi-trunk
• Denser canopy than shade-tree crapes (Autauga, Muskogee)
• Moderate interior branching visibility
• Reads as large shrub or small ornamental tree

---

Foliage

• Medium green summer foliage
• Smooth texture with good canopy density
• Attractive orange-red fall coloration possible (variable)
• Deciduous

---

Bloom characteristics

Bloom season:
Mid-summer through early fall

Bloom color:
Rich violet-purple

Flower form:

• Dense upright panicles
• Strong saturated color impact
• Heavy bloom coverage across canopy

---

Bark / winter interest

• Smooth exfoliating bark with age
• Attractive mottled tan-gray trunk coloration
• Multi-trunk structure provides winter interest

---

Light requirements

Full sun (required for best flowering and habit)

---

Soil requirements

• Adaptable to most soils
• Prefers well-drained sites
• Tolerates heat and moderate drought once established

---

Landscape uses

• Specimen ornamental tree
• Patio tree
• Small shade tree
• Accent lawn tree
• Foundation focal plant
• Streetscape use (where hardy)

---

Resistance / tolerance

Deer resistance:
Moderate
(occasional browsing possible but generally not preferred)

Drought tolerance:
Moderate once established

Urban tolerance:
Good

Disease resistance:
Moderate (powdery mildew possible in humid regions; less resistant than modern hybrids)

---

Pruning notes

• Flowers on new wood
• Can be trained as:

  • multi-trunk tree
  • single-trunk standard
  • large shrub form

• Avoid heavy topping to preserve natural architecture