Crape Myrtle Colors: Best Varieties by Color

Crape Myrtle Colors: Best White, Pink, Red, Purple, and Lavender Varieties

Crape myrtles are celebrated for their long-lasting summer flowers, which range from luminous white and pale blush to coral, magenta, crimson, lavender, violet, and deep purple. Modern breeding has expanded the palette even further by pairing colorful blooms with green, burgundy, plum, silver-green, or nearly black foliage.

Flower color is often the first feature gardeners notice, but it should never be considered alone. Mature height and spread, foliage color, growth habit, disease resistance, bark, and the surrounding landscape all determine whether a cultivar will look and perform well.

A white crape myrtle may remain a compact 6-ft. shrub or develop into a broad 30-ft. tree. A red-flowering cultivar may have traditional green leaves or glossy black foliage. Purple and lavender are not interchangeable either: some cultivars produce saturated violet-purple flowers, while others bloom in softer blue-lavender or lavender-pink shades.

This guide compares outstanding white, pink, coral, red, purple, and lavender crape myrtles, including classic U.S. National Arboretum hybrids and modern compact or dark-foliaged introductions. The selection is not limited to plants currently profiled in Gardenia. Cultivars without Gardenia pages are included when they offer exceptional color, habit, size, disease resistance, or landscape performance.

Use Gardenia’s crape myrtle comparison tool to compare additional Gardenia-listed selections by flower color, mature dimensions, foliage, hardiness, and growing requirements.

Do Crape Myrtle Flowers Change Color?

Crape myrtle flower colors are useful selection guides, but they are not perfectly fixed. The same cultivar may look different depending on the light, weather, flower age, moisture, photography, and surrounding colors.

• Fresh and aging flowers may differ: Newly opened blooms are often more saturated, while older petals can fade to softer pink, lavender, or nearly white.
• Bright sunlight affects perception: Red flowers may appear cherry-red, crimson, cerise, magenta-red, or pinkish-red under different conditions.
• Color labels are not standardized: One grower may call a flower purple while another describes the same cultivar as violet or lavender.
• Foliage changes the contrast: White, coral, lavender, and red flowers appear brighter against black foliage than against ordinary green leaves.
• Climate may influence intensity: Heat, rainfall, cloud cover, and moisture can affect how richly colored a flowering flush appears.

Best White Crape Myrtle Varieties

White crape myrtles bring clarity and brightness to summer landscapes. Their flowers are especially striking against dark evergreen backgrounds, brick walls, burgundy foliage, and shaded woodland edges.

Lagerstroemia Early Bird™ White

Early Bird™ White grows approximately 5-6 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. wide. Clean white flowers appear on a compact, upright plant that begins blooming relatively early and may produce additional flushes during the growing season.

Its restrained dimensions make it an excellent white crape myrtle for small gardens, narrow foundation beds, courtyards, large containers, and compact screens.

Lagerstroemia ‘Acoma’

‘Acoma’ generally reaches approximately 10-15 ft. tall and 6-10 ft. wide. Pure white flowers line graceful, arching branches, producing a broader and more softly weeping silhouette than most upright crape myrtles.

This mildew-resistant U.S. National Arboretum hybrid is particularly effective beside a patio, on a gentle slope, in a broad foundation bed, or as a small flowering specimen. Allow enough width for its natural form.

Lagerstroemia Delta Moonlight™

Delta Moonlight™ reaches approximately 8-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide. Crisp white flower panicles glow against deep burgundy foliage, creating one of the strongest light-and-dark contrasts among medium crape myrtles.

Its relatively narrow, upright habit suits side yards, compact screens, fence lines, patios, and contemporary gardens. It is promoted for disease and pest resistance, heat tolerance, and reblooming.

Lagerstroemia Thunderstruck™ White Flash™

Thunderstruck™ White Flash™ grows approximately 12-15 ft. tall and 8-12 ft. wide. Its white to softly blushed flowers stand out against glossy purple-black foliage.

This vigorous selection makes a dramatic specimen, flowering screen, small lawn tree, or large border focal point. The blooms may show a faint pink blush rather than remaining uniformly pure white throughout their display.

Lagerstroemia Thunderstruck™ White Lightning™

Thunderstruck™ White Lightning™ grows approximately 20-30 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. White flowers contrast with dark purple foliage on a vigorous, upright tree.

It is best suited to lawns, tall screens, driveways, and spacious borders rather than confined foundation beds. Its narrower spread can be useful where a tall white-flowering tree is desired without the broad canopy of ‘Natchez’.

Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’

‘Natchez’ grows approximately 25-30 ft. tall and 15-25 ft. wide. Large clusters of pure white flowers cover its broad, vase-shaped canopy from midsummer into early fall.

This National Arboretum hybrid is equally valued for its cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark, elegant trunks, and excellent powdery mildew resistance. It is one of the finest white crape myrtles for lawns, avenues, and large gardens.

Best Pink, Coral, and Magenta Crape Myrtle Varieties

Pink is the broadest crape myrtle color family. It includes blush, rose, watermelon, fuchsia, magenta, salmon, and coral-pink cultivars. Look beyond the general label and consider the exact shade, foliage, and mature size.

Lagerstroemia Infinitini® Watermelon

Infinitini® Watermelon grows approximately 2-4 ft. tall and wide. Brilliant watermelon-pink flowers cover its compact, rounded canopy in summer.

This dwarf shrub is ideal for patio containers, low hedges, mass plantings, and small foundation beds.

Lagerstroemia ‘Pocomoke’

‘Pocomoke’ forms a dense mound approximately 2-5 ft. tall and wide. Deep rose-pink flowers rise above glossy green foliage that may develop bronze-red tones in fall.

This miniature National Arboretum hybrid is highly resistant to powdery mildew and resistant to leaf spot. It suits containers, low hedges, foundation beds, and planting below windows.

Lagerstroemia Infinitini® Magenta

Infinitini® Magenta grows approximately 2-4 ft. tall and wide. Saturated magenta flowers create a rich display above a naturally rounded dwarf shrub.

Its compact habit works well in containers, low flowering hedges, mass plantings, and small sunny borders. It offers a warmer, pinker effect than a true purple cultivar.

Lagerstroemia ‘Hopi’

‘Hopi’ generally reaches approximately 7-10 ft. tall and wide. Medium pink flowers are accompanied by attractive bark and warm fall foliage.

Its manageable size and strong powdery mildew resistance make it a dependable choice for courtyards, patios, entrance gardens, foundation corners, and small lawns.

Lagerstroemia ‘Tonto’

‘Tonto’ grows approximately 8-15 ft. tall and 6-10 ft. wide. Its flowers are commonly described as magenta-red, fuchsia-red, or dark pink, illustrating how crape myrtle color categories can overlap.

This National Arboretum hybrid offers excellent powdery mildew resistance, colorful fall foliage, and attractive bark. It works well as a compact tree, courtyard specimen, or flowering screen.

Lagerstroemia Center Stage® Pink

Center Stage® Pink grows approximately 6-12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide. Bright pink flowers appear above glossy black foliage, providing strong contrast from spring through summer.

This vigorous cultivar was selected for improved disease resistance and works well as a specimen, flowering hedge, screen, or dark-foliaged backdrop.

Lagerstroemia Center Stage® Coral

Center Stage® Coral reaches approximately 6-12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide. Its coral flowers carry peach, salmon, orange, pink, and red undertones above black-purple foliage.

The warm coloring is especially effective beside gold, blue, silver, or pale green plants. Use it as a focal point, informal hedge, or sunny screen.

Lagerstroemia ‘Plum Magic’

‘Plum Magic’ reaches approximately 12-14 ft. tall and 8-10 ft. wide. Bright fuchsia-pink flowers appear above foliage that emerges plum-purple before becoming greener.

Its dense, upright-rounded habit makes it useful as a flowering screen, informal hedge, large border anchor, or front-yard specimen.

Lagerstroemia Delta Fusion™

Delta Fusion™ grows approximately 8-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide. Dark pink flowers contrast vividly with burgundy foliage on a relatively narrow, upright plant.

It is well suited to compact screens, side yards, contemporary borders, and small multi-trunk trees.

Lagerstroemia Delta Fuchsia™

Delta Fuchsia™ grows approximately 8-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide. Vivid fuchsia flowers rise above dark burgundy foliage.

Its narrow habit makes it useful along fences, beside patios, or wherever a medium crape myrtle must fit within limited width.

Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’

‘Sioux’ grows approximately 15-20 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. Deep pink flowers crown an upright canopy, followed by vivid orange-red fall foliage and ornamental bark.

Its excellent powdery mildew resistance makes it one of the best pink tree-form crape myrtles for medium lawns, driveways, entrance gardens, and street-side planting.

Lagerstroemia ‘Tuscarora’

‘Tuscarora’ reaches approximately 15-25 ft. tall and 15-20 ft. wide. Dark coral-pink to watermelon-pink flowers crown a vigorous, broadly vase-shaped canopy.

This National Arboretum hybrid combines improved powdery mildew resistance with red-orange fall color and attractive mottled bark.

Lagerstroemia ‘Tuskegee’

‘Tuskegee’ generally reaches approximately 20-25 ft. tall and develops a broad crown. Deep pink to coral-pink flowers are followed by warm fall color and ornamental bark.

Its substantial canopy and strong disease resistance suit large lawns, seasonal screens, streets, and open landscapes.

Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’

‘Miami’ grows approximately 20-25 ft. tall and 12-15 ft. wide. Its flowers are dark pink to dark coral-pink rather than true red.

The upright canopy, orange-red fall foliage, chestnut-brown bark, and very good powdery mildew resistance make it an outstanding large pink-flowering tree.

Best Red Crape Myrtle Varieties

True red is among the most sought-after crape myrtle colors, but descriptions often blur cherry-red, crimson, cerise, magenta-red, and deep pink. The following cultivars create the clearest red effect.

Lagerstroemia Rikki Tikki® Rouge

Rikki Tikki® Rouge grows approximately 3-5 ft. tall and wide. Cherry-red flowers contrast with silver-green leaves and burgundy-purple new growth.

Its compact habit makes it an excellent red crape myrtle for containers, low hedges, mass planting, and small gardens.

Lagerstroemia Center Stage® Red

Center Stage® Red grows approximately 6-12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide. Cherry-red to cerise flowers stand out against nearly black foliage.

This upright, vigorous cultivar was selected for excellent disease resistance and makes a bold specimen, hedge, screen, or dark-foliaged anchor.

Lagerstroemia ‘Ebony Flame’

‘Ebony Flame’ grows approximately 10-12 ft. tall and 7-8 ft. wide. Brilliant red flowers contrast with glossy purple-black foliage.

It is highly resistant to powdery mildew and Cercospora leaf spot, making it an outstanding red selection for contemporary gardens, entrance plantings, informal screens, and mixed borders.

Lagerstroemia Delta Flame™

Delta Flame™ generally grows approximately 8-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide. Dark red flowers rise above deep burgundy foliage on an upright, relatively narrow plant.

It is useful for narrow flowering screens, fence lines, contemporary borders, and small multi-trunk specimens.

Lagerstroemia ‘Miss Frances’

‘Miss Frances’ grows approximately 15-20 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. Large deep red flowers appear over an extended summer period above lustrous green foliage.

Its rounded habit and ornamental bark make it a valuable tree-form red selection for lawns, privacy screens, large borders, and streets.

Lagerstroemia Red Rocket®

Red Rocket® reaches approximately 20-30 ft. tall and 15-20 ft. wide. Brilliant cherry-red flowers crown a vigorous, fast-growing tree.

It is highly resistant to powdery mildew and makes a dramatic lawn specimen, flowering avenue, large seasonal screen, or entrance tree.

Best Purple Crape Myrtle Varieties

Purple-flowering crape myrtles range from vivid violet to deep purple and purple-magenta. They pair especially well with silver foliage, chartreuse grasses, white flowers, pale stone, and light-colored buildings.

Lagerstroemia Infinitini® Purple

Infinitini® Purple grows approximately 2-4 ft. tall and wide. Brilliant purple flowers cover a compact, rounded shrub.

Its dwarf size makes it one of the best choices for purple color in containers, low beds, mass plantings, and small urban gardens.

Lagerstroemia ‘Catawba’

‘Catawba’ grows approximately 10-15 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. Deep violet-purple flowers appear above a rounded to vase-shaped canopy.

Its saturated color, warm fall foliage, and good powdery mildew resistance make it one of the best traditional purple crape myrtles for small lawns, flowering screens, and front-yard specimens.

Lagerstroemia Infinitini® Orchid

Infinitini® Orchid belongs to the warmer boundary between purple, orchid, and magenta. It forms a compact shrub, 2-4 ft. tall and wide, and produces bright orchid-purple flowers rather than the deep violet of ‘Catawba’.

It is useful where a warmer purple is desired in a container, low hedge, or compact border.

Best Lavender Crape Myrtle Varieties

Lavender crape myrtles create a softer, cooler effect than true purple cultivars. Their flowers may appear pale violet, blue-lavender, lilac, or lavender-pink depending on the selection and light.

Lagerstroemia ‘Zuni’

‘Zuni’ reaches approximately 8-10 ft. tall and wide. Medium lavender flowers appear above a compact, vase-shaped canopy, followed by fall color and ornamental bark.

It is an excellent choice for courtyards, small lawns, entrance gardens, and mixed borders where ‘Muskogee’ would become too large.

Lagerstroemia ‘Lipan’

‘Lipan’ grows approximately 8-15 ft. tall and 6-10 ft. wide. Lavender flowers rise above an upright canopy, followed by colorful fall foliage and attractive bark.

This National Arboretum hybrid offers strong powdery mildew resistance and suits patios, entrance plantings, flowering screens, and small lawns.

Lagerstroemia Delta Eclipse™

Delta Eclipse™ grows approximately 8-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide. Lavender flowers contrast vividly with dark burgundy foliage on a narrow, upright plant.

It is a strong choice for compact screens, side yards, patio borders, contemporary gardens, and small multi-trunk trees.

Lagerstroemia Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™

Thunderstruck™ Lavender Blast™ grows approximately 12-15 ft. tall and 8-12 ft. wide. Soft lavender flowers contrast with glossy gray-purple to nearly black foliage.

Its vigorous, freely branching habit makes it useful as a specimen, flowering screen, hedge, or small lawn tree.

Lagerstroemia ‘Muskogee’

‘Muskogee’ grows approximately 20-30 ft. tall and 15-25 ft. wide. Its flowers are pale lavender-pink rather than deep purple.

This vigorous National Arboretum hybrid offers a high flowering canopy, excellent powdery mildew resistance, fall color, and exfoliating bark. It is best suited to large lawns, avenues, driveways, and broad medians.

Crape Myrtle Colors at a Glance

How to Choose a Crape Myrtle by Color

• Start with mature size: Choose a cultivar that fits the available height and width without severe annual pruning. Flower color cannot compensate for a tree that overwhelms its site.
• Decide how bold the contrast should be: Green foliage creates a classic look, while burgundy or black leaves make white, coral, pink, lavender, and red flowers appear brighter and more dramatic.
• View colors in context: White stands out against dark walls and evergreens. Pink softens patios and cottage borders. Red creates a strong focal point. Lavender and purple combine naturally with silver, blue, white, and chartreuse plants.
• Distinguish purple from lavender: Select ‘Catawba’ or Infinitini® Purple for saturated purple. Choose ‘Zuni’, ‘Lipan’, Delta Eclipse™, or ‘Muskogee’ for softer lavender shades.
• Consider disease resistance: Powdery mildew can weaken the display, particularly in humid climates or poorly ventilated sites. Many National Arboretum hybrids offer dependable resistance.
• Provide full sun: Most crape myrtles flower best with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Eight hours or more often supports a fuller display and stronger dark-foliage color.
• Expect natural variation: Flowers may look warmer, cooler, brighter, or paler as they age and under different weather or light conditions.

Plan Your Crape Myrtle Color Scheme With Gardenia

Use the Gardenia Plant Finder to filter crape myrtles by flower color, mature height, spread, foliage, hardiness, sun exposure, soil, water needs, and garden use.

Then use the Gardenia Design Tool to see how white, pink, red, purple, or lavender crape myrtles will relate to buildings, paths, surrounding foliage, and companion plants.

Include foliage and bark in the design rather than planning around summer flowers alone. A well-chosen crape myrtle can contribute spring foliage, months of bloom, autumn color, ornamental bark, and an elegant winter framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Choose Color and Scale Together

The best crape myrtle color is the one that works with the plant’s mature size, foliage, habit, disease resistance, and surroundings. A vivid red tree may be spectacular in a large lawn but unsuitable beneath a window, while a compact purple or watermelon-pink shrub may be perfect for a patio container.

White cultivars bring brightness and elegance. Pink, coral, and magenta selections offer the widest range of warm shades. Red crape myrtles create strong focal points, while purple and lavender varieties introduce cooler tones that blend naturally with many garden palettes.

Choose a named cultivar, plan for its mature dimensions, and consider foliage and bark alongside flower color. The result will be a crape myrtle that fits naturally and contributes beauty through more than one season.

References

• University of Florida IFAS – Crape myrtle cultivar size and flower color
• U.S. National Arboretum – Plant introduction fact sheets
• U.S. National Arboretum – Lagerstroemia cultivar checklist
• Proven Winners – Lagerstroemia cultivars
• Southern Living Plant Collection – Delta crape myrtle colors and sizes
• Southern Living Plant Collection – ‘Miss Frances’
• Gardenia – Compare crape myrtle varieties
• Gardenia – Powdery mildew on crape myrtle
• Gardenia – When and how to prune a crape myrtle correctly

Updated: July 2026 – Reviewed by Gardenia Editors