Catawba Crape Myrtle – Bold Purple Color from Summer to Frost If you want a tree that earns its place in the landscape every single month of the year, the Catawba Crape Myrtle delivers. Known for its exceptionally rich, deep purple blooms — among the darkest of any crape myrtle variety — Catawba puts on a show from midsummer straight through fall, then transitions into stunning crimson-orange foliage before revealing its beautifully exfoliating bark in winter. Four seasons of interest, one tree. Why Catawba Stands Out Deepest purple blooms available – Rich violet-purple flower clusters that hold their color even in intense summer heat. Exceptionally long bloom season – Flowers from July through September; deadheading encourages repeat flushes. Brilliant fall foliage – Leaves turn vivid orange-red in autumn for a second season of color. Ornamental winter bark – Smooth, peeling cinnamon-colored bark adds sculptural interest when the tree is bare. Drought-tolerant once established – Thrives in heat and dry conditions; ideal for low-water landscapes. Pollinator magnet – Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the bloom season. Versatile form – Works as a specimen tree, flowering hedge, border anchor, or street tree. Landscape Uses Specimen focal point in lawn or garden beds Flowering privacy hedge or border planting Driveway or walkway lining Poolside or patio accent tree Mixed shrub border with contrasting foliage colors Picture it: a July afternoon, your yard alive with deep purple blooms swaying in the breeze, butterflies drifting from cluster to cluster. Come October, those same branches are ablaze in orange-red. That’s the Catawba Crape Myrtle — a tree that never stops giving. Growing Guide Zones: USDA 6–10 Light: Full sun (6+ hours daily) — essential for maximum blooming Water: Regular watering in year one; drought-tolerant once established Soil: Well-draining; adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils Mature size: 15–25 ft. tall, 6–15 ft. wide (varies by pruning) Pruning tip: Avoid “crape murder” (topping). Light shaping in late winter is all that’s needed for a natural, graceful form. Available Sizes Choose from a 3-Gallon starter or a 4–5 ft. tree — both container-grown for easy establishment and a strong head start on blooming. Love Crape Myrtles? Try This Next For a compact, front-of-border companion, pair Catawba with the Bellini® Grape Crape Myrtle — a dwarf shrub form with the same deep purple blooms, perfect for layering in front of your Catawba for a cohesive, multi-height purple display.
