Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-VIII' Height: 14 feet Spread: 8 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 7a Other Names: Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle Group/Class: Magic Series Brand: First Editions Description: This stunning ornamental shrub produces volumes of frilly coral blooms in summer; deep plum-maroon foliage is followed by deep red fall color; a captivating focal point for the garden or border; resistant to leaf spot and powdery mildew Ornamental Features Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic is blanketed in stunning panicles of coral-pink frilly flowers at the ends of the branches from mid summer to early fall. It has attractive burgundy deciduous foliage which emerges plum purple in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn dark red in fall. Landscape Attributes Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep. Trim off the flower heads after they fade and die to encourage more blooms late into the season. It has no significant negative characteristics. Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic will grow to be about 14 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. Crape Myrtle, Twilight Magic makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. For plants rated USDA zone 7, these plants survive our average winter conditions, however, they may need mulching or winter protection when we get extreme winter conditions like low teens or single digits. For plants rated USDA zone 8 and above, these plants will not survive our winter temperatures, so they need to be either brought inside or replaced annually. Special Attributes In Eastern Washington & Oregon Crape Myrtles can have die back from our winters, depending on the winter. If it is a hard winter they can die completely so in the autumn put 4 inches of bark around their base going out to a 2 foot in diameter to protect the roots from dying. Crape Myrtles are one of the last things to leaf out in the spring, generally mid to late April or early May. If you are growing it in a container, be sure to protect it from cold temperatures and winds by taking it into a garage or shed with a window, don't forget to give it water once every 2 to 3 weeks. 
