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Japanese Crepe Myrtle 'Natchez' (Lagerstroemia x fauriei 'Natchez'): White Flowers and Exquisite Bark

'Natchez' is a celebrated hybrid crepe myrtle (Japanese crepe myrtle) renowned for its pure white flower panicles, exceptional powdery mildew resistance, and stunning cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark. It is a cornerstone of southern landscapes and a top choice for multi-season interest.

Botanical Profile

Family: Lythraceae (loosestrife family)
Genus: Lagerstroemia
Species: x fauriei (hybrid)
Cultivar: 'Natchez'

Outstanding Traits

Large, pure white flower panicles (8–16 inches) bloom from early summer to fall. Bark exfoliates in patches to reveal smooth, rich cinnamon-brown inner bark—spectacular in winter. Fall foliage turns orange-red. Grows 20–30 feet tall with a broad, vase-shaped canopy. Highly resistant to powdery mildew.

Culture

Full sun, well-drained soil. Heat and drought tolerant once established. Hardy in USDA zones 7–9 (zone 6 with protection). Prune in late winter to shape; avoid "crepe murder" (topping).

Uses

Specimen, street tree, screening, mixed border. Four-season interest: summer flowers, fall color, winter bark, spring foliage.

Tree: Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica); Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Dynamite'); Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus): Elegant Bell Flowers in Spring; 'Peppermint Lace' Crape Myrtle: Striped Blooms for Summer Gardens; Japanese Crepe Myrtle 'Tonto' (Lagerstroemia x fauriei 'Tonto'): Compact Red-Flowered Hybrid; Crape Myrtle 'Red Rocket' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket'): Vibrant Summer Color; Crape Myrtle 'Catawba' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'): Purple Blooms; Japanese Crepe Myrtle 'Tuscarora' (Lagerstroemia × fauriei 'Tuscarora'): Coral-Pink Flowers; Crape Myrtle 'Pink Velour' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Pink Velour'): Velvety Pink Blooms; Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis): Fragrant, Evergreen Mediterranean Shrub for Topiary and Hedges

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