Laferstroemia purple magic, also known as the purple crape myrtle, is a beautiful flowering shrub that belongs to the Lythraceae family. This hardy plant is native to southern Asia and is highly valued for its stunning purple blooms that appear during the summer months. Laferstroemia purple magic is a medium-sized shrub that can reach a height of 10-15 feet. It has an upright and spreading growth habit, with a dense canopy of glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves of this plant turn a vibrant orange-red color in the fall, adding another layer of visual appeal. The real beauty of Laferstroemia purple magic lies in its flowers.
The real beauty of Laferstroemia purple magic lies in its flowers. The plant produces large clusters of showy, purple flowers that cover the entire shrub. These flowers have a crinkled texture, giving them a unique and delicate appearance.
First Editions® Purple Magic Crapemyrtle
Do you love crape myrtles but hate the diseases associated with them? Meet the new and improved First Editions® Magic™ Crape Myrtle Series. These crape myrtle trees showcase new color combinations, compact size, and disease resistance.
The intensely pigmented violet-purple blooms set the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle apart from other dwarf crape myrtles.
The Purple Magic Crape Myrtle produces an abundance of crinkly, purple blooms from July to September. New growth starts out as a red in the spring before turning green in the summer. An additional perk of the Magic Series Crape myrtles is the size.
A smaller and more compact dwarf crape myrtle, this tree easily transforms into a nice hedge with its round, bushy form. Growing only 6 to 8 feet high makes this a perfect, compact ornamental tree to dress up any landscape. Not only is this tree bursting with color and compact, but it is also resistant to disease.
Compact, dense, and colorful, this tree/shrub variation of the Crape Myrtle is absolutely stunning. Give it sunlight and good drainage and it will take off with little maintenance. Sit back and relax and let this show-stopping Crepe Myrtle perform magic before your eyes!
Crape Myrtle Tree Comparisons
Variety Flower Color Bloom Season Zones Height (ft) Width (ft) Growth Rate White June-Oct 20-30 3-5ft / yr July-Oct 10-12 1-2ft / yr July-Oct 10-15 3-4ft / yr July-Oct 10-15 3-4ft / yr July-Oct 20-30 3-5ft / yr Cherry Red July-Oct 15-25 2-3ft / yr Magenta July-Oct 10-12 3-4ft / yr Purple July-Oct 10-15 3-4ft / yr Pink July-Oct 10-12 3-4ft / yr Violet Purple July-Sept 1-2ft / yr Salmon Pink June-July 1ft / yr Lavender June-Oct 25-30 3-5ft / yr Deep Pink July-Sept 1ft / yr Plum Magic June-July 1ft / yr Dark Purple June-July 1ft / yr First Editions® Purple Magic Crapemyrtle CareBe sure you choose the right location and have the appropriate conditions for your new Purple Magic Crape Myrtle to thrive. Luckily purple flower trees are pretty easy to grow and don't require much maintenance at all. If you follow growing zone guidelines for your particular variety you can plant your purple crape myrtle just about any time of year. Purple Magic Crape Myrtles grow in zones 7-9.
The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering and fertilization are the keys to your success. There are not many pests or diseases that cause severe problems for crape myrtles. Aphids are one of the few pests that attack crape myrtles. Minor infections aren't likely to cause problems, but a severe infection can weaken your tree. You can treat aphids naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. The Magic series crape myrtles are extremely resistant to Powdery Mildew and other diseases.
Planting
These trees prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade and are adaptable to just about any soil as long as it is well-draining. Crape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 or 6.5 being ideal, but as long as your soil isn't extremely alkaline there is no need to modify it. Mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of pine straw or pine bark is ideal for crape myrtles. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as these increases the chances of pests and disease. Mulching helps keep soil moist and protects roots during temperature extremes.
Watering
Purple Magic Crape Myrtles should be watered deeply about 2 times per week after planting for about 3 months. After this establishment period, water deeply about once weekly when conditions are dry. Crape Myrtles are drought tolerant once established.
Fertilizing
Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost and help it achieve the best blooms. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer. If you know your soil is on the basic side choose a fertilizer that is for acid loving plants.
Maintenance
Crape Myrtles do not generally require pruning, but if needed, prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches. Avoid the need to over prune your tree by choosing a variety that fits best in your chosen spot. You can choose a variety that is only 5 feet tall up to varieties that grow over 30 feet tall. Magic series Crape Myrtles grow up to 10 feet tall and wide.
Landscape ideasThe Magic series of Crape Myrtles will look great anywhere in your landscape. The colorful bloom clusters are sure to brighten up your yard. The mature size is only 6-8 feet tall and wide so be mindful of this when choosing a spot for this tree-shrub. The Crape Myrtles of the Magic series look great as single specimens planted in your yard and provide a wonderful focal point for a bed or garden. This variety tends to grow more like a large, full bush than a tree. This Crape Myrtle will also look great framing your front door or the front entrance of your driveway. Plant 1 on each side and watch your house turn into a home. Another stellar look for these shrub-like crape myrtles is a grouped hedge or cluster. You will love the color and beauty this will add to your yard. Planting about 5 or 6 feet apart can even provide privacy in spring, summer and fall.
For additional options, be sure to browse our Crape Myrtle and Dwarf tree collection.
Purple Magic Crape Myrtles should be watered deeply about 2 times per week after planting for about 3 months. After this establishment period, water deeply about once weekly when conditions are dry. Crape Myrtles are drought tolerant once established.
The blooms are long-lasting and attract numerous pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, making it a great addition to any garden or landscape. In addition to its striking appearance, Laferstroemia purple magic is also highly valued for its adaptability and low maintenance requirements. This shrub is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It is also drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for water-conscious gardeners. Another attractive feature of Laferstroemia purple magic is its resistance to many common pests and diseases. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who want a beautiful and hassle-free plant in their landscape. To care for Laferstroemia purple magic, regular pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It is also important to provide the plant with regular water during dry periods, especially during the first few years after planting. Overall, Laferstroemia purple magic is an exquisite flowering shrub that adds a touch of color and beauty to any landscape. With its stunning purple blooms, hardiness, and low maintenance requirements, it is no wonder why this plant is a favorite among garden enthusiasts. Whether planted as a focal point or used in mass plantings, Laferstroemia purple magic is sure to impress and delight all who encounter it..
Reviews for "Exploring the Many Varieties of Laferstroemia Purple Magic"
1. Jane - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Laferstroemia Purple Magic plant. Despite following all the care instructions, the plant didn't thrive in my garden. The flowers were not as vibrant as I expected and they quickly wilted. I was hoping for a burst of color, but all I got was a dull and lifeless plant. I would not recommend this variety to others.
2. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I have never been so disappointed with a plant purchase before. The Laferstroemia Purple Magic plant did not grow as advertised. It stayed small and barely produced any flowers. I even moved it to different locations to see if that would improve its growth, but nothing worked. This plant was a complete waste of money and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to add the Laferstroemia Purple Magic plant to my garden, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The blooms were not as frequent as the description claimed and they were not as vibrant as I had hoped. The plant also required a lot of maintenance and it was not easy to care for. Overall, I was underwhelmed with this variety and would not purchase it again.
4. Michael - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the Laferstroemia Purple Magic plant, but it fell short of my expectations. The blooms were not as long-lasting as I was led to believe and the color faded quickly. Additionally, the plant seemed to attract pests and required constant attention to keep it healthy. In the end, I was not satisfied with this purchase and would not recommend it to others.
5. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I found the Laferstroemia Purple Magic plant to be quite finicky and high-maintenance. It required a lot of water and specific soil conditions to thrive, and even then, it didn't bloom as profusely as I had hoped. I also noticed that the plant was more susceptible to diseases compared to other varieties in my garden. Overall, I was disappointed with this plant and would not choose it again.