Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle The shadow magic crape myrtle is a unique and enchanting plant that adds depth and beauty to any garden or landscape. With its vibrant blooms and ability to create a shadowy atmosphere, it is a popular choice among gardeners and plant enthusiasts. The crape myrtle, scientifically known as Lagerstroemia indica, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Asia. It is hailed for its stunning flowers that come in various colors such as white, pink, lavender, and red. These flowers bloom in clusters during the summer and fall, giving the plant a burst of color and vitality. What sets the shadow magic crape myrtle apart from other varieties is its ability to create a shadowy ambiance.
STEP 1) First, decide on a planting location. Consider carefully what kind of sun, soil, and growing-space your tree or shrub will need.
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
STEP 2 Once you ve located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting. This vigorous plant blooms from June to September, and it is free of the diseases that cause unattractive foliage and leaf drop in older types of crape myrtle.
What sets the shadow magic crape myrtle apart from other varieties is its ability to create a shadowy ambiance. The plant's unique feature is its dark burgundy to purple foliage, which creates a contrasting effect against the vibrant flowers. This foliage is known to absorb light, casting a shadowy effect in the surrounding area.
Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle
The Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle is a marvelous new variety of purple-leaf shrub that also carries rich red blooms for many months of the year. Colored foliage is always loved in the garden, and purple is the most popular color, because it really stands out and contrasts well with other colors, such as golden leaves. This plant has very persistent coloring, holding its deep-purple color all through summer, right up to leaf-drop. It is as good as or superior to other purple-leaf shrubs, and many of those older plants flower for just a few days, and they may have disease problems too. This vigorous plant blooms from June to September, and it is free of the diseases that cause unattractive foliage and leaf drop in older types of crape myrtle. It grows between 5 and 10 feet tall, but stays only around 6 feet wide, so it fits perfectly into the smaller gardens so many of us have today.
- Rich black-purple foliage all season, for dramatic color
- Rich red flower clusters continuously from summer to fall
- Grows easily in any sunny spot, and resists drought
- Specially bred to resist the leaf disease that mar older crape myrtles
- A top-quality shrub for both foliage and flower color
Plant the Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle in a sunny location, so that it flowers prolifically and keeps the richest possible leaf coloring. It will grow rapidly and without any problems in any well-drained soil, growing well even in poor sand and gravel soils. If you have a hot, sunny spot in your garden, this shrub will thrive. It is fast-growing too, so very soon you will have a full-sized plant, bringing vibrant leaf color from spring to fall, and powerful red flowers all summer and fall too. Diseases and pests won’t bother it, and the all-season interest will really bring your garden to life.
Shrubs with colored foliage are always popular, but never more than today. This is because they give months of color in the garden for very little work, so rather than growing flowering plants that take lots of care, or shrubs that flower for just a week or two each year, they are all you need for a colorful garden. Modern gardeners love to mix and match shrubs with different leaf colors, and no colors are more popular than rich deep reds and purples – the deeper, richer and more persistent the better. There are other shrubs that have this coloring, such as the Purple Leaf Plum, but no other purple-leaf shrub has the beautiful flowers, long bloom period, and trouble-free habits of the Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle.
The Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle is an upright shrub, reaching 5 to 10 feet in height, depending on where you grow it and how you prune it. It has a relatively narrow form for a Crape Myrtle, growing only 4 to 8 feet wide, so it is ideal for a smaller garden, or for mixing among other shrubs. From the very beginning of the spring growth this deciduous shrub produces vigorous, glossy foliage that is a rich, deep black-purple color. This coloring persists throughout the season, all the way into fall, so unlike other purple-leaf shrubs that fade to murky purple-greens as summer progresses, this shrub stays rich and colorful until the leaves eventually fall.
But this is not all; once June arrives, or a little later in the northern limits of zone 7, blooms begin to appear. Every branch ends in a large cluster of flowers, 4 ½ inches long and a plump 4 inches across, packed with many flowers. The flowers are a rich red – an almost perfect ‘true’ red – which contrasts with the purple foliage to create a vibrant, majestic effect you will love. Each flower cluster lasts about 10 days, but new ones are constantly being produced, and your shrub will still be blooming away in September, only stopping when the colder weather arrives. To keep your Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle blooming to the max, remove spent flower heads by cutting back just above the first full-sized leaves. Towards the end of the season, if you stop removing spent flowers you will be rewarded with attractive seed pods, that add interest in winter after the leaves have fallen.
In addition to its visual appeal, the shadow magic crape myrtle also possesses other notable characteristics. The plant is relatively low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-draining soil. Regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain its shape are recommended. The shadow magic crape myrtle is a versatile plant that can be used in various settings. Its compact size makes it suitable for small gardens, containers, or as a border plant. Its ability to create shade and add a magical aura makes it an ideal choice for creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere in any outdoor space. In conclusion, the shadow magic crape myrtle is a captivating and visually striking plant. With its vibrant blooms, dark foliage, and ability to create a shadowy ambiance, it is a popular choice among gardeners and adds beauty and depth to any garden or landscape. Its low-maintenance nature and versatility make it an excellent addition to any outdoor space..
Reviews for "Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle: A Deciduous Beauty for Your Garden"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the "Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle". I had high hopes for this plant, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. First of all, the plant grew much slower than advertised. It took forever for it to reach its full height. Secondly, the blooms were also not as vibrant as I had imagined. They looked dull and faded. Lastly, the plant required a lot of maintenance. I had to constantly prune it to keep it in shape. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this Crape Myrtle to others.
2. Benjamin - 1 star
I regret purchasing the "Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle". It was a waste of money. The plant did not thrive in my garden, despite following all the care instructions. It hardly produced any flowers, and the few blooms it did have were very small and lackluster. Additionally, the foliage was dull and unattractive. I expected a vibrant and beautiful plant, but this Crape Myrtle failed to deliver. Save your money and look for a different variety if you want a showstopper in your garden.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had such high hopes for the "Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle", but unfortunately, it failed to impress me. The plant started off well, but after a few months, it began to decline. The leaves started turning yellow and falling off, despite providing it with the proper care and watering. The plant looked sickly and weak, and it never produced as many flowers as promised. I was extremely disappointed with this purchase and would not recommend it to fellow gardeners.
4. David - 2 stars
I had a rather negative experience with the "Shadow Magic Crape Myrtle". The plant grew slowly and didn't reach its advertised height, which was disappointing. Moreover, the blooms were not as abundant as I had hoped. The overall appearance of the plant was underwhelming. It required a lot of attention and care, and even then, it didn't look as healthy as it should have. I would advise looking for a different Crape Myrtle variety if you want a more satisfying plant for your garden.