Comanche Crepe Myrtle

Comanche Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Comanche') is a medium sized deciduous tree that earns its place three times over in a single year. It grows to about 4m tall and 3m wide, carries heavy trusses of coral pink crinkled flowers through the hottest part of summer, then turns orange and red before dropping its leaves to reveal smooth mottled cinnamon bark. The roots are non invasive, so it can be planted close to paving and services.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers when the garden needs it most. Coral pink trusses open through mid and late summer, a stretch when most flowering trees have finished.
• Three seasons of interest. Summer flower, orange red autumn foliage, then patterned bark on bare branches through winter.
• Genuinely tough. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and wind tolerant once established, so it suits a wide sweep of the country.
• Safe around pets. Crepe myrtles are not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters when a tree sits over a lawn the dog uses.

Where it works best

Feature planting in small gardens. At 4m by 3m it gives a front garden a proper canopy without overwhelming a single storey house.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees 3m to 4m apart for a repeated line of summer colour. The non invasive roots are why it is a standard choice for this job.

Pots and courtyards. A container 500mm or wider holds it for years, and pot culture keeps it nearer 2.5m. Water consistently, because flowering suffers first when a potted tree dries out.

Growing Comanche Crepe Myrtle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun is not negotiable, because shade means few flowers and a higher risk of powdery mildew. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern districts are well within range. In humid areas give it an open position with airflow.

Soil. Well drained soil with compost worked through the backfill. It is not fussy about type but dislikes waterlogging, so raise the planting position on heavy clay.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then it becomes drought tolerant. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring supports summer flowering. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which produces leaf at the expense of flower.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while it is bare. Remove crossing branches and shorten the previous season's flowering wood by a third, because flowers come on new growth. Do not top it back to stubs, which ruins the vase shape and the bark display.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in a single advanced size, a 30L pot, so you are buying a tree with a formed trunk and a branched head rather than a whip. It will make a visible statement in its first season. If it arrives during winter it will be leafless, which is normal for a deciduous tree and not a fault.

Trees travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in the growing season, and flowering in the first or second summer after planting. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete crepe myrtle care guide
• Compare every crepe myrtle variety we grow
• Small trees for urban and suburban gardens
• Trees and shrubs with autumn colour

Common questions

How big does Comanche get?

Around 4m tall and 3m wide, which is the medium range for crepe myrtles. Annual pruning in late winter holds it nearer 3m if you want it smaller.

Can I plant it near a driveway or pipes?

Yes. The root system is non invasive, which is why crepe myrtles are used along driveways and in narrow front gardens. Allow about 1.5m of clearance from hard surfaces.

Why is my crepe myrtle not flowering?

Almost always too much shade, or pruning at the wrong time. Flowers form on new spring growth, so prune in late winter and give it at least six hours of direct sun.