Purple Magic Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia hybrid ‘Purple Magic’ PP#23906

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6b-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 6-10′

Width at Maturity: 6-10′

Spacing: 5′ for solid hedge; 12′ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright

Flower Color: Dark Purple

Flower Size: Large clusters

Flowering Period: Summer

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: NA

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, Lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained, Moderately Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Mildew

Description

Purple Magic is a truly spectacular mid-size Crape Myrtle from the First Editions Magic series. Every variety in this series was selected for its ability to produce masses of blooms in rich, true colors…and Purple Magic doesn’t disappoint. It will blow you and any who see it away with its abundant, large clusters of crinkled, deep purple flowers over a long period in summer. If the first round of flowers are deadheaded Purple Magic will produce another flush of flowers late summer through mid-fall!

The foliage on Purple Magic is remarkable as well. In spring, the leaves emerge a dark reddish-orange color turning to deep, dark, glossy green when mature. The dark foliage combines very well with bright colored flowers and foliage of other plants nearby. In our gardens, we’ve found Purple Magic to be a very vigorous grower, doubling in size during each of the first two years, though we think it will slow down over time. It has demonstrated excellent resistance to powdery mildew, even in the hot and humid summers we have here in north-central Georgia.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 5 to 10 feet tall depending on pruning and 5 to 6 feet or so wide, Purple Magic Crape Myrtle is an ideal selection for smaller garden spaces, and containers. It can be grown as a shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small tree, making it an excellent choice for use as a specimen or accent in sunny home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also makes a very colorful hedge and is spectacular in groupings. Whether planted as a specimen or in groupings, this is one plant that is sure to stand out in the landscape!

Suggested Spacing: 5 feet apart for solid hedge; 12 feet apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b, where this Crape Myrtle variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Purple Magic Crape Myrtle is very easy to grow. It is not picky about soil type provided the soil is well-drained. A moist but well-drained soil of average fertility is preferred. Full sun is preferred and results in heavier flower production. Light shade is tolerated but flowering will be diminished in more shade. Has shown excellent resistance to powdery mildew and is quite drought tolerant when established.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to get helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Crape Myrtle trees.

How To Plant A Crape Myrtle In The Ground Or In A Pot

How To Prune a Crape Myrtle Tree the Right Way

How To Fertilize & Water A Crape Myrtle

How To Prune a Dwarf Crape Myrtle

Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

This little guy is doing great now that it has found it’s spot in the yard. It’s loaded with blooms and so gorgeous.————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Planting these for the first time. They came packaged beautifully and fully hydrated. Although in infancy stage, some blooms were present or at least some buds. Highly recommend Wilson Brothers!—————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Just like the dogwood trees, this crepe myrtle came in terrific condition. it is doing well. SOOO like Wilson Bros. Gardens!——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My most recent order (2 crepe myrtles) arrived in the peak of heath, new growth all over the plants, and impeccably packaged ensuring their safe, healthy arrival. Detailed care instructions on their site are invaluable. Pricing is excellent; free shipping, too. Wilson is my go-to nursery, period. Try them, if you haven’t; you won’t regret it!——————————————–Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

We lost many plants this past Feb due to record low temps. We saw -3 at night. Wanted to replace my lost crape myrtles but nursery stock in my area was limited and poor quality. Ordered 2 from Wilson Bros. They arrived neatly packaged. And the quality of the plants was far better than what I see here even during a normal season. Very impressed. I will definitely order from Wilson Bros again.—————————————-That’s great! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review and the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant was carefully packaged and arrived in beautiful condition. I planted it the same day it arrived, and it is doing well. I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful purple blossoms.———————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

The 3 Purple Magic Crape Myrtles arrived in late May very healthy and with the full complement of leaves, They were planted in sunny spots and watered now and then. Now in mid July they are already covered with numerous beautiful flowers so things worked out very well——————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My Purple Magic Crape Myrtle arrived in terrific condition. It has adapted well and is really taking off. Can’t wait to see the first bloom. Very happy with order.———————————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

I rate this company so far as a 5 star. Had a bump on my first order, however they corrected the problem with immediate dispatch. I am overjoyed with my orders so far. This company and it’s employees are best I have ever dealt with and everyone of my plants, including the Purple Magic crepe myrtle, are healthy and already putting out leaves. The care they put in boxing the orders up are fantastic. Cannot wait to order more; think this will be my go to company from now on. Keep up the good work. —————— WBG Reply: Hi Candice! Thanks so much for your stellar review of the Purple Magic Crape Myrtles and all your compliments…it makes everything we do even more worth the while! Purple Magic might just be my personal favorite of the mid-size crape myrtle varieties. The flower color is truly stunning! Glad to hear everything else we’ve shipped is growing nicely. Don’t hesitate to let us know whenever there’s anything we can help you with. At your service!
Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

We love you guys. Excellent customer service and beautiful plants. We bought so much this year. We are thrilled with our selections. The Crape Myrtles are perfection. You are so helpful over the phone. The plants were packed so well for shipping and arrived healthy and brilliant. Thank you so much.———————————————–WBG Reply: Hi Sharon, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words!!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

We ordered three of the Purple Magic Crapes and they arrived quickly, packaged well and full of leaves. It has been about three weeks since planting and they are doing great! We are so pleased with our purchase. ———————- WBG Reply: Hi – Thanks for taking the time to provide your review of the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle and for the compliments. You’ll love the true-purple flowers! We hope you enjoy them for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

I purchased this Purple Magic Crape Myrtle several weeks ago and it arrived about a week later in healthy condition. I planted it and it already has beautiful flowers on it. I couldn’t be more pleased and I will purchase plants from Wilson Bros Gardens again. I will gladly tell others where I purchased my beautiful plant. ——– WBG Reply: Hi Reba – Thanks so much for your compliments and taking the time to provide your review. Thanks also for giving us the opportunity to serve you and we hope you enjoy your new Crape Myrtle for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service. Plant long & prosper! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Plant arrived in good condition in mid June …I was impressed with the packaging. I planted my crepe myrtle immediately on a south facing wall that gets full fun…it thrived and bloomed all summer long. The trick will be in overwintering… I hope with the location I’ve chosen, and a burlap protection system, I will enjoy this lovely bloomer for many years to come

This arrived in perfect condition in full bloom! Love it!

Had a hard time finding this plant and was very happy to find it on Wilson Bros Gardens. The plant came healthy and full of pretty purple blooms

Exceptional!