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Purple Magic Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia 'Purple Magic'
Purple Magic Crape Myrtle is prized for its vibrant purple blooms, compact size, and outstanding disease resistance, offering bold, long-lasting summer color. Ideal for colorful hedges, foundation plantings, borders, and pollinator gardens, it brings vibrant charm and low-maintenance beauty to sunny landscapes. One of the finest Purple Flowering Crape Myrtles Available!
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Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Trees
Purple Magic Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Purple Magic' PP#23,906) is a stunning, compact crape myrtle variety celebrated for its rich, vibrant purple blooms and tidy growth habit. Bursting into bloom in midsummer, Purple Magic delivers dense clusters of deep purple flowers that continue to brighten the landscape into early fall. With a mature size of about 6 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, this versatile shrub is perfect for colorful foundation plantings, vibrant hedges, mixed borders, or even as a small specimen tree in sunny gardens. Its bold color and manageable size make Purple Magic an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking long-lasting summer interest without overwhelming their space.
Purple Magic Crape Myrtle thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, rewarding gardeners with outstanding disease resistance—especially against powdery mildew and leaf spot—along with excellent drought tolerance once established. Its attractive dark green foliage forms a lush backdrop to the intense purple blooms, and in fall, the leaves often transition to fiery shades of orange and red, adding another season of interest. Requiring minimal maintenance beyond occasional pruning and watering during dry periods, Purple Magic offers reliable performance and showstopping beauty with very little effort.
Whether planted as a colorful hedge, a bold border accent, or a striking container centerpiece, Purple Magic Crape Myrtle brings brilliant, low-maintenance color to any sunny landscape. Its long bloom period not only beautifies the garden but also supports local pollinators, making it a smart, eco-friendly choice. Add Purple Magic to your landscape for a spectacular burst of deep purple blooms and vibrant seasonal color that will delight you year after year.
| Hardiness Zone: | 7-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8 to 10 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 8 to 10 Feet |
| Classification: | Semi-dwarf shrub form |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Habit: | Deciduous, densely branched, multi-stemmed summer through the first frost. |
| Flower Color: | Dark purple flowers in mid to late summer through the first frost |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges a rich reddish color, changing to an 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 . Small enough for a large containers on the patio. |
How to Care for Purple Magic Crape Myrtle
Once you buy a Purple Magic Crape Myrtle, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
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How Do I Plant Purple Magic Crape Myrtles?
To plant your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles successfully, choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of full sun daily to ensure the richest blooms and healthiest growth. Begin by digging a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the shrub’s root ball, loosening the soil at the bottom to encourage strong root expansion. Remove the plant from its container, gently loosen any circling roots, and place it in the hole so that the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with a mix of native soil and organic compost, then water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets and help the roots settle. After planting your Purple Magic Crape Myrtle, apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant, being careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulching helps conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds, giving your crape myrtle the best possible start. During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings. With proper planting and early care, your Purple Magic Crape Myrtle will thrive, rewarding you with a profusion of vibrant purple flowers and strong, healthy growth year after year.
How do I water Purple Magic Crape Myrtles?
Watering your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles properly is essential for establishing a strong root system and promoting vibrant, long-lasting blooms. During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Focus on watering at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and help prevent fungal diseases on the foliage. Deep watering helps the plant develop drought tolerance over time, making your Purple Magic more resilient during hot, dry periods. Once established, Purple Magic Crape Myrtles are quite drought tolerant and typically require supplemental watering only during extended dry spells. Check the soil regularly during summer—if the top 2–3 inches feel dry, it’s time to water thoroughly. Applying a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant helps conserve moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering. With consistent and mindful watering, your Purple Magic Crape Myrtle will thrive, delivering brilliant purple blooms and lush, healthy foliage all season long.
How do I fertilize Purple Magic Crape Myrtles?
Fertilizing your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles properly is key to promoting strong growth, lush foliage, and an abundance of vibrant purple blooms throughout the summer. In early spring, as new growth begins to emerge, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 formula around the drip line of the shrub. Avoid placing fertilizer directly against the trunk to prevent root burn. After spreading the fertilizer, water thoroughly to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the root system, giving your Purple Magic the foundation it needs for a spectacular growing season. For continued performance, you can provide a second light feeding in mid-summer if your soil is sandy or if you want to encourage even stronger blooming into fall. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Incorporating organic compost into the soil annually also helps improve soil structure and natural fertility. With the right fertilization schedule, your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles will deliver dazzling purple flower clusters, robust health, and dynamic seasonal color, enhancing your sunny landscape year after year.
How and when should I prune Purple Magic Crape Myrtles?
Pruning your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles at the right time is essential for maintaining their compact form, encouraging vigorous new growth, and maximizing their vibrant purple blooms. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins but after the danger of hard frost has passed. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches with clean, sharp pruning shears to open up the center of the plant and improve air circulation. Lightly thin the canopy and shape the plant to maintain its natural rounded form, avoiding heavy cuts that could weaken its structure or diminish its summer flower production. When pruning your Purple Magic Crape Myrtles, avoid the practice known as "crape murder," where the tops of the branches are severely chopped back. Instead, focus on selective pruning that enhances the shrub’s graceful shape and strong branching pattern. After the first big flush of blooms in early summer, you can lightly deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage a second round of flowering later in the season. Proper, minimal pruning each year will ensure that your Purple Magic Crape Myrtle remains healthy, produces abundant blooms, and continues to be a vibrant focal point in your sunny garden.
Frequently Asked questions
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Purple Magic Crape Myrtle plant for years to come!
