Images Depict Mature Plants
Natchez Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez'
Crape Myrtle Natchez offers stunning pure white blooms, exfoliating cinnamon bark, and vibrant fall foliage, delivering year-round beauty and seasonal interest. Ideal for use as a flowering shade tree, driveway border, or street tree, Natchez adds height, elegance, and pollinator appeal to large, sunny landscapes.
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White Crape Myrtle Trees
Natchez Crape Myrtle is a stunning, fast-growing ornamental tree prized for its crisp white blooms, elegant form, and rich year-round interest. Blooming profusely from mid-summer through early fall, Natchez produces large clusters of pure white flowers that create a striking contrast against its deep green foliage. This beloved variety can grow 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, making it an ideal choice for use as a flowering shade tree, driveway border, or dramatic landscape focal point. Its long blooming season and graceful silhouette make it a standout in both residential and commercial landscapes.
Beyond its spectacular flowers, Natchez Crape Myrtle offers exceptional multi-season beauty with exfoliating bark that peels away to reveal smooth, cinnamon-colored trunks in fall and winter. Its glossy foliage turns an attractive orange-red in autumn, adding to its year-round visual appeal. Highly adaptable and low maintenance, Natchez thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is known for its excellent resistance to powdery mildew and other common Crape Myrtle diseases. Once established, it also shows strong drought tolerance, making it a great option for southern gardens and water-wise landscapes.
Perfect for large spaces, Natchez Crape Myrtle adds structure, color, and elegance to any sun-filled landscape. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity and beauty of your garden during peak blooming months. Whether used as a single specimen tree, planted in rows to line streets or driveways, or integrated into mixed borders for height and contrast, Natchez offers reliable performance and timeless charm. Its combination of white blooms, ornamental bark, and seasonal foliage color makes it one of the most popular and versatile Crape Myrtle varieties available.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 18 to 20 feet |
| Mature Width: | 15 to 18 feet |
| Classification: | Tree form large (20 feet or more) |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Habit: | Deciduous, densely branched, multi-stemmed habit |
| Flower Color: | Pure white flowers in mid to late summer through the first frost |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges a rich glossy green, changing to a equally vibrant orange-red in the fall |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting |
How to Care for Natchez Crape Myrtle
Before you buy a Natchez White Crape Myrtle, make sure to read about the care instructions that are required and recommended to keep this plant healthy and flourishing.
How do I plant my Natchez Crepe Myrtle Tree?
To plant your Natchez Crepe Myrtle tree, choose a location that receives full sun for at least six hours a day to ensure strong growth and prolific blooming. Begin by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball to allow room for root expansion. Loosen the soil at the bottom and around the sides of the hole to encourage good drainage and root penetration. Place the tree in the center of the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with a mix of native soil and compost, then water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. When planting a Natchez Crepe Myrtle, allow plenty of space for its mature size—typically 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. This tree thrives as a focal point in large landscapes, along driveways or fence lines, or as part of a blooming allee. If planting multiple trees, space them at least 12 to 15 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation and canopy development. Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep root system, which supports long-term drought tolerance and strong flower production. With the right site, soil preparation, and care, your Natchez Crepe Myrtle will grow into a stunning, low-maintenance ornamental tree that brings four-season interest to your landscape.
How Should I water my Natchez White Crape Myrtle?
When watering your Natchez White Crape Myrtle, focus on deep, infrequent soakings to promote strong root development and long-term drought tolerance. During the first growing season, water your tree thoroughly once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions and soil drainage, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy. Always water at the base of the tree, avoiding the foliage, to prevent fungal issues and encourage moisture to reach the root zone. Deep watering helps your Natchez Crepe Myrtle establish a resilient root system that supports healthy growth and abundant white blooms. Once established, your Natchez White Crape Myrtle will require minimal watering and typically only needs supplemental moisture during extended periods of drought or extreme heat. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weed competition. Before watering, check the soil 2–3 inches below the surface—if it feels dry, it’s time to water. With a proper watering routine, your Natchez Crape Myrtle will thrive in full sun, delivering vibrant summer blooms, stunning bark, and lush seasonal foliage with minimal maintenance.
How should I fertilize My Natchez Crepe Myrtle Trees?
To fertilize your Natchez Crepe Myrtle trees, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer—such as a 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 formula—in early spring as new growth begins. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the tree’s drip line, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk, and water it in thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the root zone. This feeding supports vigorous growth, enhances foliage quality, and promotes the profusion of white blooms Natchez is known for. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which may encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. For continued performance, you can feed your Natchez White Crape Myrtle again in mid-summer with a lighter dose, especially if the soil is sandy or nutrient-poor. Organic compost or well-aged manure can also be added annually to enrich the soil naturally and boost overall plant health. Always follow fertilizer label instructions to avoid overfeeding, which can stress the tree and reduce its ornamental value. With a consistent, well-timed fertilization schedule, Natchez Crepe Myrtles will deliver exceptional flower production, strong structure, and healthy foliage throughout the growing season.
How and When Should I prune my Natchez Crape Myrtles?
You should prune your Natchez Crape Myrtles in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins to emerge. This timing allows you to shape the tree without removing developing flower buds, as Natchez Crape Myrtles bloom on new wood. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and structural integrity. Then, selectively thin the interior to open up the canopy and enhance light penetration. Avoid the common mistake of severely topping the tree—a practice known as "crape murder"—which weakens the plant and reduces bloom quality. When pruning your Natchez White Crape Myrtle, focus on preserving its naturally elegant, vase-shaped form. Remove any suckers growing at the base and trim small lateral branches that detract from the tree’s upright structure. Minimal, thoughtful pruning helps maintain the tree’s architectural beauty and promotes larger, healthier clusters of its iconic white flowers. Regular annual pruning not only supports prolific blooming and disease resistance but also highlights the attractive cinnamon-colored bark that makes Natchez a standout in all seasons.
