Catawba Crape Myrtle Tree California - Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'

Catawba Crape Myrtle Tree (Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba')

The Catawba Crape Myrtle is a stunning deciduous flowering tree prized for its dramatic deep purple flower clusters that persist from late spring through early fall. This California favorite delivers exceptional year-round interest with showy blooms followed by striking autumn foliage in shades of orange, red, and gold. Buy Catawba Crape Myrtle online to add a versatile, easy-to-grow centerpiece to your landscape.

Landscaping Uses

Plant the Catawba as a solo focal point or mass several together for maximum visual impact in your garden beds. This tree works beautifully in mixed borders, foundation plantings, and specimen locations where its purple blooms and seasonal color changes take center stage. It adapts well to various design styles and can be shaped into a natural multi-stemmed form or trained as a single-trunk tree depending on your landscape vision.

Specifications

Height: 15–25 feet
Width: 8–15 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
Water: Drought tolerant; moderate watering needed during hot summers
Soil: Well-draining
USDA Zones: 7–11

Why Homeowners Love It

• Dense clusters of rich purple flowers that bloom reliably for months
• Graceful branching structure that may arch under the weight of heavy blossoms
• Vibrant fall foliage transition from deep purple to warm orange and bronze tones
• Highly adaptable to pruning and training for custom shapes and sizes

Planting & Care

Choose a location with full sun exposure for best flowering performance and plant in well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and at the same depth, gently loosening the roots before placement. Keep the root crown level with the soil surface and apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly during establishment and hot summer months; mature trees are quite drought tolerant. Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring and summer, and prune in late winter to remove weak growth and shape the canopy by keeping 4 to 5 strong main stems.