Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Delta Blush')
Explore Lagerstroemia indica 'Delta Blush', a compact, weeping Crape myrtle with persistent pink blooms, thriving in USDA Zones 6-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’, a specialized cultivar of the popular Crape myrtle, is highly valued for its significantly reduced size combined with the dramatic, long-lasting summer color characteristic of the genus. This plant is specifically bred to offer a dense, weeping habit in a miniature form, making it an exceptional choice for smaller landscapes or containers where standard Crape myrtles would overwhelm the space. Its flowers create stunning visual impact from early summer well into the fall.
As a deciduous shrub, the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ adds seasonal structure, followed by beautiful exfoliating bark that provides winter interest. While it shares the vigor and drought tolerance of its larger cousins, its compact nature—rarely exceeding 1.5 feet in height and spread in ideal southern conditions—allows for versatile placement near entryways or on patios. Gardeners should aim to replicate the conditions that encourage robust blooming while managing the specific cold-weather needs this miniature Crape myrtle presents.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lythraceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The best establishment period for planting Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ is when dormancy is approaching or beginning, although its tolerance for various soils assists year-round planting if care is taken. Ensure planting occurs in a location receiving full sun—at least six hours daily—which is crucial for dense flowering. This compact Crape myrtle performs well in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, readily accepting heavy clay types provided drainage is adequate.
Water roots deeply, especially during dry spells, focusing moisture at the base and actively avoiding wetting the foliage to minimize potential fungal issues. To encourage strong season-long growth and profuse pink blooms, apply a slow-release fertilizer. Overly rich soils should be avoided, as excessive fertility pushes lush foliage development at the expense of flower production and can slightly increase susceptibility to winter injury.
For cold protection in Zones 5 and 6, planting in a protected location and applying a substantial winter mulch around the root zone is highly recommended. Growers in marginal zones should expect top growth dieback below -5°F; if this occurs, prune stems back to about 8 inches in early spring. Flowers on this new growth will emerge later in the season, ensuring colorful display even after significant winter pruning.
Landscape Uses
The miniature size of Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ makes it incredibly versatile in formalized or modern garden settings. It excels when grouped or massed to create a low, uniform border, providing a continuous ribbon of pink color along walkways or against foundation plantings where taller shrubs would obscure architectural features. Its weeping habit also lends itself beautifully to rock gardens, where the low-spreading form can cascade slightly over stone edges.
For gardeners desiring seasonal patio color near outdoor living spaces, this Crape myrtle performs excellently as a container plant. Growing Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ in pots allows for mobility, enabling placement in full winter protection during severe cold snaps, which is especially beneficial in Zones 5 and 6. It integrates well with other sun-loving perennials that maintain similar medium water needs.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. Terminal, crepe-papery inflorescences of showy flowers with crimped petals bloom in summer, often lasting until frost. Smooth pale pinkish-gray bark on mature branches exfoliates with age, adding year-round interest following the stunning summer bloom period. The specific cultivar ‘Delta Blush’ is characterized by its dense branching and downward-weeping branch ends, distinguishing it from upright forms.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Clay Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The two primary disease concerns for general crape myrtles are fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew, though ‘Delta Blush’ is reported to have strong disease resistance. To prevent issues, always water deeply at the base and ensure good air circulation around the dense foliage. Leaf yellowing, or chlorosis, can occur if the soil pH is significantly alkaline, in which case soil amendments or chelated iron might be required. Target common pests like aphids and scale with horticultural oil or systemic treatment if populations become heavy.
The biggest management challenge, particularly for growers near the northern edge of the hardiness map (Zones 5-6), involves winter injury. While roots are generally hardy to Zone 5, above-ground stems often die back to ground level when temperatures drop below -5°F. Pruning these dead stems back to stubs in early spring allows the plant to regenerate vigorous new growth that will flower later that summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Crape myrtle suitable for?
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9, though growers in Zone 5 may achieve success with diligent winter protection.
How large does Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ grow?
This miniature variety is quite compact, typically reaching mature dimensions of only 1 to 1.5 feet in height and a similar spread, perfect for small spaces.
What sun exposure does Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ need?
This Crape myrtle absolutely requires full sun exposure to achieve its best flowering performance and maintain dense, healthy growth.
When does Crape myrtle bloom?
The ‘Delta Blush’ cultivar provides abundant pink flowers that bloom continuously from June and often persist into September or the first fall frosts.
Conclusion
The Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ offers all the spectacular, long-lasting summer color of a traditional Crape myrtle packed into an exceptionally tidy, weeping form ideally suited for small yards and containers. Its documented tolerance for drought and clay soils adds to its practicality for the modern landscape designer. Before planting, confirm your local USDA zone aligns with its rating of 6-9 and plan for maximum sun exposure to guarantee a season full of delicate pink blooms.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for your compact Crape myrtle, focus on plants that share the need for full sun and medium water requirements. Low-growing, spreading perennials like Sedum or Coreopsis create an excellent textural contrast beneath the weeping habit of the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’. For foundation plantings, consider pairing it with summer-flowering bulbs or drought-tolerant ornamental grasses that provide vertical interest without shading out the low-growing shrub.
Avoid planting moisture-loving bog plants nearby, as the consistent dryness preferred by mature Crape myrtles can stress them. A well-drained, sunny border mixing dwarf evergreens or sun-loving perennials will ensure that the rich pink flowers of the ‘Delta Blush’ remain the focal point throughout the growing season.
Design Ideas
The weeping nature of this specific Crape myrtle cultivar lends itself wonderfully to softening hard edges in hardscaping. Use several ‘Delta Blush’ specimens to line a curved walkway, allowing their branches to slightly spill onto the paving, creating a gentle, informal boundary. In modern Asiatic-inspired gardens, its fine texture pairs elegantly with gravel mulch or large, weathered stones.
For patio design, placing the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ in a substantial decorative container allows it to function as a temporary flowering specimen. It can be positioned at the corner of a seating area to provide mid-level texture. In mixed shrub borders in Zones 7-9, this plant works as an excellent front-of-the-border anchor where larger, taller varieties of Crape myrtle might typically be utilized.
