Introduction Another Great Addition to the Magic™ Series by First Editions! Deep Purple Maroon Foliage Compact size Low Maintenance Excellent Disease Resistance Description You are going to love the latest crape myrtle from the First Editions® Magic™ series. The Moonlight Magic™ Crape Myrtle has deep purple foliage and tons of white, lacy blooms that erupt from purple buds in July and flower throughout summer. But this dwarf crape myrtle tree isn't just striking color contrast and prolific blooms; the Moonlight Magic™ is highly resistance to disease and extremely low maintenance! The foliage of the Moonlight Magic™ Crape Myrtle is a unique maroon color that adds stunning appeal to your yard. Snowy white blooms and purple buds add interest throughout summer. Spent blooms leave behind seed capsules that add interest well into winter. The smooth, peeling bark of the Moonlight Magic is attractive all year long. Plant in full sun for best blooms. This crape myrtle is adaptable to any well-drained soils. The Moonlight Magic™ is extremely drought and heat tolerant as well as disease resistant. This hardy tree is easy to grow and maintain. Stand out in the neighborhood with this extraordinary flowering tree! Order yours today before they're gone! Crape Myrtle Tree Comparisons Variety Flower Color Bloom Time Zones Height (ft) Width (ft) Growth Rate Black Diamond Best Red Red July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 12 8 1 - 2ft / yr Black Diamond Crimson Red Red July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 15 8 3 - 4ft / yr Black Diamond Mystic Magenta Magenta Early July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 12 6-10 3 - 4ft / yr Black Diamond Purely Purple Purple July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 15 6 - 10 3 - 4ft / yr Black Diamond Red Hot Red Early July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 15 6-10 3 - 4ft / yr Black Diamond Shell Pink Pink Early July to Oct 7 - 10 10 - 12 6-10 3 - 4ft / yr Catawba Violet Purple July to Late Sept 7 - 9 15 12 1 - 2ft / yr Coral Magic Salmon Pink Late June to July 7 - 9 6 - 8 6-8 0.5 - 1ft / yr Dynamite Cherry Red Early July to Oct 7 - 9 15 - 25 15 2 - 3ft / yr Muskogee Lavender June to Oct 7 - 11 25 - 30 20 3 - 5ft / yr Natchez White June to Oct 7 - 10 20 - 30 20 3 - 5ft / yr Pink Velour Deep Pink Early July to Sept 7 - 10 8 - 10 10 0.5 - 1ft / yr Plum Magic Pink Late June to July 7 - 9 6 - 8 6-8 0.5 - 1ft / yr Purple Magic Dark Purple Late June to July 7 - 9 6 - 8 6-8 0.5 - 1ft / yr Red Rocket Red July to Oct 7 - 9 20 - 30 15 3 - 5ft / yr How To Care Be sure you choose the right location and have the appropriate conditions for your new Moonlight Magic Crape Myrtle to thrive. Luckily Crape Myrtles are pretty easy to grow and don't require much maintenance at all. If you follow growing zone guidelines for your particular variety you can plant your crape myrtle just about any time of year. Moonlight Magic Crape Myrtles grow in zones 7-9. These trees prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade and are adaptable to just about any soil as long as it is well-draining. Crape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 or 6.5 being ideal, but as long as your soil isn't extremely alkaline there is no need to modify it. Mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of pine straw or pine bark is ideal for crape myrtles. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as these increases the chances of pests and disease. Mulching helps keep soil moist and protects roots during temperature extremes. Crape Myrtles should be watered deeply about 2 times per week after planting for about 3 months. After this establishment period, water deeply about once weekly when conditions are dry. Crape Myrtles are drought tolerant once established. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost and help it achieve the best blooms. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer. If you know your soil is on the basic side choose a fertilizer that is for acid loving plants. Crape Myrtles do not generally require pruning, but if needed, prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches. Avoid the need to over prune your tree by choosing a variety that fits best in your chosen spot. You can choose a variety that is only 5 feet tall up to varieties that grow over 30 feet tall. Moonlight Magic Crape Myrtles grow up to 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering and fertilization are the keys to your success. There are not many pests or diseases that cause severe problems for crape myrtles. Aphids are one of the few pests that attack crape myrtles. Minor infections aren't likely to cause problems, but a severe infection can weaken your tree. You can treat aphids naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. The Magic series crape myrtles are extremely resistant to Powdery Mildew and other diseases. Landscape Ideas The Magic series of Crape Myrtles will look great anywhere in your landscape. The Moonlight Magic is more a small tree than a shrub like the other crape myrtles in the Magic series. It will fit in the smallest spaces. The white blooms and purple foliage are sure to brighten up your yard. A small tree that matures to a mere 8-12 feet high and 5-6 feet wide, the Moonlight Magic™ Crape Myrtle is perfect for small yards. Plant in rows or groups of 3 in bigger yards for heightened color contrast against green grass and shrubs. This crape myrtle makes a beautiful and truly unique hedge. Try this showy crape myrtle on either side of your entryway for a bold look. This Crape Myrtle will also look great framing your front door or the front entrance of your driveway or anchoring the corners of your home. Plant 1 on each side and watch your house turn into a home. Another stellar look for these dwarf crape myrtles is a grouped hedge or mass planting. You will love the color contrast and beauty this will add to your yard Planting about 5 feet apart can offer provide privacy in spring, summer and fall. For group planting you can plant your Moonlight Magics closer together but stagger them so they still have room to grow.
