Question
wondering what makes leaf turn redish pink and sickly looking in spring. i have high alkaline soil and thought it might be ph.

Answer
Hi Harry...it is possible that it got hit with some cold. A cold snap will change the color leaves. Evenly moist, well draining soil facilitates rapid growth, but once firmly established, it can tolerate drought. It prefers fairly acidic soil.  Compost with pine needles to drive the pH down to about 5.5?.0, though it's reasonably tolerant in either direction of this range.  Nothing much bothers crepe myrtle besides sooty mold, turning the leaves black.