Lagerstroemia indica, also known as Crape Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle, is a stunning, multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a wide spreading open habit. Native to Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, this tree produces beautiful inflorescence with white, pink, red, or lavender flowers that bloom from mid-June up to 120 days. Its bark exfoliates, making it an attractive feature in the landscape. Leaves are up to 2" long and offer a spectacular color display in autumn before shedding during winter. Lagerstroemia indica is frost tolerant and prefers full sun but requires good drainage to thrive. Its roots are not picky about soil type and once established, the tree is drought hardy. With proper care, it can grow up to 20 feet with a spread of 20 feet. This flowering tree is a popular nesting shrub for songbirds and wrens. In herbal medicine, a decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of colds. In the mild-winter states of the United States, Lagerstroemia indica is a common municipal planting, park tree, and a beautiful addition to home gardens. It's becoming increasingly popular in other states due to the development of cold-hardy varieties that can withstand Zone 6 winters. The Royal Horticultural Society also awarded it the Award of Garden Merit in the United Kingdom. Despite being susceptible to mildew and fungal diseases, Lagerstroemia indica is low maintenance and a late-season bloomer, providing brilliant color and beauty when other flowering plants have exhausted their blooms.