Stunning lavender-violet flower panicles bloom from mid-summer through early fall, delivering months of bold, crinkled-petal color to the landscape
Developed by the U.S. National Arboretum, this mildew-resistant hybrid offers superior disease toughness compared to older crape myrtle varieties
Four-season appeal with deep green summer foliage, fiery orange-red fall color, showy winter seed capsules, and eye-catching exfoliating bark year-round
Semi-dwarf, multi-stemmed habit matures to a manageable 10-15 feet tall, making it ideal for smaller yards, mixed borders, screening, and patio settings
The Zuni Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Zuni’) is a standout ornamental shrub-tree that brings extraordinary four-season beauty to gardens across Southern Oregon and Northern California. A result of careful hybridization work at the U.S. National Arboretum, ‘Zuni’ crosses Lagerstroemia indica with the disease-hardy L. fauriei to produce a refined, semi-dwarf, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that matures to approximately 10-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. From mid-summer well into early fall, the canopy is blanketed with large, upright panicles of rich lavender-violet flowers featuring the signature crepe-papery petals that give this beloved genus its common name. The deep, glossy green foliage provides a lush summer backdrop before transitioning to striking shades of orange-red, deep red, and burgundy in autumn, while persistent round seed capsules extend the ornamental display into winter. As the plant matures, its smooth pinkish-gray bark exfoliates in attractive peeling layers to reveal warm cinnamon and tan tones beneath, delivering compelling year-round structure even after the leaves have fallen. Critically for Pacific Northwest and Northern California gardeners, ‘Zuni’ is noted as one of the best-performing larger crape myrtles for the region when sited in a hot, sunny location, and its excellent resistance to powdery mildew sets it apart from many older varieties. Whether used as a bold specimen, an informal screen, a mixed shrub border anchor, or a pollinator-friendly focal point, Zuni Crape Myrtle rewards gardeners with dependable, long-season beauty and surprisingly low maintenance once established.
