Sarah’s favorite crape myrtle, the ‘Tonto’ variety, imparts a vibrant burst of color in her garden with its showy pink blooms. This deciduous tree’s bark exfoliates to reveal a striking cinnamon-hued layer, adding year-round visual interest. Adaptable to a range of soil types and climates, the ‘Tonto’ crape myrtle thrives in full sun to partial shade and reaches a height of 15 to 25 feet. Its extended bloom time, lasting from summer to fall, makes it a beloved choice among gardeners seeking long-lasting beauty.
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Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle: A Southern Delight
Nestled amidst the lush blooms of Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a remarkable crape myrtle cultivar emerged, captivating the hearts of garden enthusiasts and earning the prestigious name Sarah’s Favorite. This enchanting tree has graced landscapes across the nation, becoming a Southern garden icon.
Distinctive Characteristics
Sarah’s Favorite is an exceptional crape myrtle renowned for its captivating blooms. Its rich ruffled petals cascade in a vibrant lavender-pink, creating an irresistible display of color from midsummer to autumn. The large flower clusters, reaching up to 12 inches across, dance gracefully atop sturdy branches.
Growing with a vase-shaped habit, this crape myrtle develops multiple trunks that can reach heights of 20-25 feet and spread 15-20 feet wide. Its exfoliating bark reveals a cinnamon-brown hue, adding a touch of rustic charm to the landscape.
Cultivation Requirements
Cultivation Requirements for Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle
Growing Sarah’s Favorite in your garden requires attention to specific cultivation requirements to ensure its thriving ornamental beauty. Let’s delve into the essential factors that will nurture this captivating crape myrtle:
Climate: Sarah’s Favorite flourishes in warm climates with long, hot summers and mild winters. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9, withstanding temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit in zone 6. Hotter climates bring out the best in this sun-loving plant.
Soil: Sarah’s Favorite prefers well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Amend heavy soils with organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve drainage. Poor drainage can lead to root rot, affecting the health and vitality of the crape myrtle.
Light: This sunbeam-loving beauty requires a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. The best flowering performance occurs with ample sunlight. However, in extremely hot and humid climates, partial shade in the afternoon can be beneficial.
Pruning: Proper pruning is crucial to maintain the desired shape, size, and blooming potential of Sarah’s Favorite. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. For a tree-like form, select one or two main trunks and remove suckers at the base. To encourage more blooms, prune back older growth by one-third to one-half their length. Judicious pruning enhances the overall health, vigor, and ornamental appeal of this crape myrtle.
Ornamental and Landscape Uses of Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle
Ornamental Value
Sarah’s Favorite captivates with its showstopping blooms that adorn the tree in vibrant hues of hot pink. These colorful blossoms emerge in large, arching panicles that create a striking focal point in any landscape. The crape myrtle’s attractive foliage adds to its ornamental value, with deep green leaves that complement the vibrant blooms.
Landscape Applications
- Focal Points: Sarah’s Favorite commands attention as a breathtaking focal point in your yard. Its lush blooms and graceful habit make it an eye-catching specimen tree.
- Border Trees: Create a stunning border with a line of Sarah’s Favorite crape myrtles. Their compact size and upright habit make them ideal for defining property lines or creating a privacy screen.
- Privacy Screens: The dense foliage and thick branching structure of Sarah’s Favorite provide an effective privacy screen, shielding your home from unwanted views or noise.
Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle: Origin and Popularity
Popularity
Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) has gained immense popularity among gardeners and home enthusiasts due to its captivating blooms, vibrant foliage, and adaptability to diverse landscapes. It is renowned for its bushy upright habit, showcasing a profusion of large, ruffled blooms that range from dazzling pink to vibrant purple, captivating the senses throughout the summer months.
Discovery at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
The origin of Sarah’s Favorite is a testament to the transformative power of nature. In the picturesque gardens of Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina, this exceptional crape myrtle was first discovered as a seedling among other crape myrtle varieties. Horticulturalists recognized its distinctive characteristics and exceptional beauty, recognizing its potential as a garden treasure.
Named in honor of Sarah P. Duke, the late philanthropist who established the gardens, Sarah’s Favorite quickly rose to prominence as a beloved crape myrtle variety, captivating gardeners with its grandeur and easy maintenance.
Regional Significance
Regional Significance of Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle
In the heart of the American South, where summer’s embrace can be sweltering, nature has bestowed a botanical treasure: the crape myrtle. These resilient trees have become synonymous with Southern landscapes, adorning homes and gardens with their vibrant blooms and enchanting foliage.
Among the most beloved varieties is Sarah’s Favorite, renowned for its exceptional tolerance to the region’s demanding climate. Its heat and humidity tolerance make it a thriving addition to the Southern landscape, where other plants may wilt under the sun’s intense glare.
Sarah’s Favorite thrives in the warm, humid conditions prevalent in the South. Its glossy green leaves shimmer in the sunlight, creating a picturesque backdrop for its cascading blooms. These delicate clusters of flowers explode in shades of pink, purple, and white, painting the landscape with vibrant hues that rival the colors of a sunset.
Whether planted as a focal point, a border tree, or a privacy screen, Sarah’s Favorite transforms outdoor spaces into enchanting retreats. Its graceful habit adds a touch of elegance to any garden, while its extended bloom time ensures months of uninterrupted beauty.
In the Southern landscape, crape myrtles are not merely plants but cultural icons. Their presence evokes memories of warm summer evenings spent on front porches, the scent of blooming flowers mingling with the sound of crickets. Sarah’s Favorite, with its exceptional qualities and enduring appeal, embodies the spirit of the American South, where resilience and beauty triumph amidst the challenges of nature.
Well, that’s all I have to say about Sarah’s favorite crape myrtle. I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed writing about it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And be sure to visit again later for more great home improvement and garden articles. Thanks for reading!