Lagerstromia ‘Pocomoke’s compact, mounded form and small size make for front-of-the-border beauty.
(Photography By Charlotte Kidd)

Do you enjoy the late-season flowers of crapemyrtle but don’t have space for a tree? Allow me to introduce you to ‘Pocomoke’—a handsome, dwarf crapemyrtle. It’s not quite knee-high—a densely branched mound of deep rosy-raspberry flowers floating above forest-green leaves.

Crapemyrtle brings bright color to the autumn landscape. ‘Pocomoke’ is one of several compact hybrids introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. ‘Pocomoke’ is among those top hardy to Zone 7 and root hardy (with winter protection) to Zone 6.

‘Pocomoke’ is resistant to powdery mildew. It’s deciduous, though slow to green up. Be patient. Look for plump buds in late spring or early summer. These small, tidy shrubs enhance small gardens. For a late season “wow,” group them in threes, fives or sevens in rich loamy soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5.

Common Name: Dwarf crapemyrtle

Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia (indica x fauriei) ‘Pocomoke’

Color: Deep rose-pink flowers clustered at stem tips in mid- to late summer. Small, glossy dark green foliage emerges burgundy, turns bronze in fall.

Fruit: Capsules persist through winter.

Blooming Period: Midsummer into late fall

Type: Woody shrub

Size: Slow grower to 19 inches tall, 3 feet wide

Exposure: Blooms best in full sun

When to Plant: Spring

How to Plant: Plant 3 feet apart. Dig a hole somewhat wider than the root ball.

Soil: Well-drained

Watering: Average

When to Prune: Minimal—prune off dead branches anytime. Clip off dry seed capsules in winter or spring.

When to Fertilize: Minimally in spring.

In Your Landscape: Mixed ornamental beds, borders, mass in beds, specimen in terraces or in alpine gardens

(From Pennsylvania Gardener Magazine Volume I Issue III.)