Giant Crape Myrtle is a flowering, perennial, deciduous tree with large bright pink to light purple flowers. It is native to China and tropical Asia. The tree is noted for its attractive flowers in profusion in purple, lilac or pinkish-violet and for a long bloom season that lasts for many months. It is a medium-sized tree reaching about 50 to 60 feet at maturity with a symmetrical crown and a smooth bark. Giant Crape Myrtle does best in rich, deep, alluvial loam and prefers warm, humid and moist soils. It can tolerate some standing water. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common crape myrtle pests and diseases. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids and scale are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew and fungal leafspot are common disease problems. If planted in alkaline soils the leaves will show chlorosis (yellowing).
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.