Other Names:  Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle

Group/Class:  Barista Collection

Brand:  Walters Gardens

Description:

This exciting ornamental shrub or small tree produces volumes of vibrant, large bright white blooms over dark green leaves; a captivating focal point for the garden or border; mature heights are taller in southern climates; blooms on new wood

Ornamental Features

Barista® Like a Latte Crapemyrtle is clothed in stunning panicles of white frilly flowers at the ends of the branches from late summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive coppery-bronze flower buds. It has attractive dark green foliage with burgundy veins which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The fruits are showy green pods displayed from mid fall to early winter.

Landscape Attributes

Barista® Like a Latte Crapemyrtle is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Barista® Like a Latte Crapemyrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Barista® Like a Latte Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. It has a low canopy. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

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 not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. 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. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.