Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’ (Crape Myrtle)

Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’ (Crape Myrtle) – Dark Pink Flowers, Upright Form, and Chestnut-Brown Bark

Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’, commonly called Miami crape myrtle or Miami crepe myrtle, is a vigorous deciduous flowering tree prized for its rich dark pink to dark coral-pink flowers, upright habit, russet-red to orange fall color, and handsome dark chestnut-brown bark. It creates a bold summer focal point while adding strong autumn and winter interest.

Developed by the U.S. National Arboretum, ‘Miami’ is a hybrid crape myrtle selected for its colorful flowers, ornamental bark, and improved resistance to powdery mildew. In favorable climates it commonly grows about 20 to 25 ft. tall and 12 to 15 ft. wide (6-7.5 m by 3.6-4.5 m), forming a substantial upright tree that needs ample overhead and lateral space.

Large terminal panicles of crinkled flowers appear from midsummer into early fall. The glossy green foliage may emerge with burgundy or bronze tones before maturing, then turns shades of russet red, orange, or reddish orange in autumn. As the tree ages, the bark exfoliates to reveal richly colored chestnut-brown trunks and branches.

Quick Facts – Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’

Summary: Vigorous dark pink crape myrtle with an upright crown, exfoliating chestnut-brown bark, and vivid autumn color.
Use: Excellent as a specimen tree, lawn tree, avenue tree, flowering screen, street tree, or large border focal point where space permits.
Highlight: Deep pink summer flowers combine with orange-red fall foliage and richly colored bark for year-round impact.
Note: ‘Miami’ is a true tree-form cultivar. Give it enough room to mature naturally rather than controlling its size through severe annual pruning.

Botanical Name	Lagerstroemia ×egolfii ‘Miami’; often listed as Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’ or Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Miami’
Family	Lythraceae
Common Names	Miami crape myrtle, Miami crepe myrtle, hybrid crape myrtle
Origin	U.S. National Arboretum hybrid
Plant Type and Habit	Deciduous medium-sized tree; upright, vigorous, commonly multi-stemmed, and narrower than broad-canopied cultivars such as ‘Natchez’
Hardiness (USDA)	Zones 6 to 9; top growth may suffer winter injury in colder Zone 6 locations
Size	Commonly 20-25 ft. tall and 12-15 ft. wide (6-7.5 m by 3.6-4.5 m)
Growth Rate	Moderate to fast in warm, favorable conditions
Sun and Exposure	Full sun; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, with 8 or more hours ideal
Soil	Average, moderately fertile, well-drained clay, loam, or sandy soil; slightly acidic to neutral conditions are ideal
Bloom Time	Midsummer through early fall
Flower Color	Dark pink to dark coral pink
Foliage and Fall Color	Glossy green summer foliage, sometimes burgundy-tinged when emerging, turning russet red to orange in fall
Bark	Dark chestnut-brown bark that exfoliates with age
Disease Resistance	Very good powdery mildew resistance and fairly good tolerance to Cercospora leaf spot
Wildlife Value	Flowers may be visited by bees and other insects; best regarded as a supplemental floral resource
Deer Resistance	Not usually preferred by deer, but young growth may be browsed and trunks may be rubbed

Care – Quick

• Planting: Choose a hot, sunny site with room for a 12-15 ft. canopy and full tree height.
• Water: Water deeply during establishment; mature trees tolerate moderate drought.
• Feeding: Apply compost or a modest spring fertilizer only where soil fertility or growth is poor.
• Pruning: Prune selectively in late winter or early spring; never top the crown.
• Mulching: Maintain 2-3 in. of organic mulch without covering the trunk flare.
• Best use: Place where the dark pink flowers, autumn foliage, and chestnut-brown bark can be appreciated across several seasons.

What Is Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’?

Description and Hybrid Origin

‘Miami’ is one of the hybrid crape myrtles developed by the U.S. National Arboretum. It combines ornamental qualities associated with common crape myrtle and Japanese crape myrtle ancestry, including richly colored flowers, exfoliating bark, an upright tree habit, improved cold tolerance, and strong resistance to powdery mildew.

The current hybrid name Lagerstroemia ×egolfii ‘Miami’ reflects its interspecific background. Nursery catalogs and older references often list it as Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Miami’ or simply Lagerstroemia indica ‘Miami’. For general garden use, Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’ is clear and widely understood.

Growth Habit and Mature Size

‘Miami’ develops a strong upright framework with ascending main branches and a relatively narrow tree canopy. It is commonly grown with several trunks, although young trees can be trained to three to five stems or a single trunk where a formal street-tree or lawn-tree silhouette is preferred.

Clemson lists ‘Miami’ at approximately 25 ft. tall with an upright habit. Other regional sources commonly place it around 20-25 ft. tall and approximately 12-15 ft. wide. Climate, winter injury, soil, and pruning history influence final dimensions. Allow generous clearance from utility lines, roofs, narrow paths, and neighboring trees.

Flowers and Bloom Season

Large terminal panicles carry abundant crinkled flowers in shades described as dark pink or dark coral pink. The color is deeper than that of many pale pink crape myrtles and remains visually strong against the green summer foliage.

Bloom generally begins in midsummer and continues through late summer, often extending into early fall in warm climates. Full sun, sustained summer heat, healthy new growth, and adequate establishment watering support the best display. Deadheading is unnecessary on mature trees and soon becomes impractical.

Foliage, Fall Color, and Bark

The foliage may emerge with bronze or burgundy tones before maturing to glossy green. In autumn, the leaves can turn russet red, orange, or reddish orange, creating a warm transition after the flowers fade. Fall intensity varies with regional climate, soil, and seasonal weather.

The dark chestnut-brown bark is one of ‘Miami’s most distinctive features. As the outer bark exfoliates, it reveals richly mottled trunks and branches that provide strong winter interest. Preserving the natural framework allows the bark to remain visible rather than hidden beneath dense sucker growth or disfigured by severe pruning.

Hardiness and Climate

‘Miami’ is generally grown in USDA Zones 6 to 9 and performs best where summers are hot and long. In colder Zone 6 locations, top growth may be injured or killed back during severe winters, resulting in a smaller plant and later flowering. A sunny, protected site and broad mulch layer help protect the root zone.

Uses in the Landscape

• Specimen tree: Use as a bold flowering focal point in a lawn or spacious sunny border.
• Medium lawn tree: Add summer bloom, autumn foliage, and ornamental winter bark.
• Avenue or allée: Repeat at generous intervals for an upright corridor of deep pink flowers.
• Tall seasonal screen: Plant several where deciduous summer screening is appropriate.
• Street tree: Suitable where planting strips provide enough soil volume, overhead wires are absent, and seasonal litter is acceptable.
• Commercial landscape: Effective in campuses, hospitality properties, municipal spaces, and broad parking-area islands.
• Mixed tree border: Combine with evergreens, ornamental grasses, and low perennials that highlight the bark and canopy.

Wildlife and Pollinator Value

The flowers may be visited by bees and other insects, but ‘Miami’ is best treated as a supplemental floral resource. Combine it with native trees, grasses, and long-blooming perennials that provide broader nectar, pollen, seed, and habitat value.

Deer and Browsing Animals

Crape myrtles are not usually the first woody plants selected by deer, but they are not completely deer-proof. Tender shoots may be sampled, and young trunks may be damaged by rubbing where deer pressure is high.

Drought and Heat Tolerance

Once established, ‘Miami’ tolerates heat and moderate drought. Newly planted trees require deep, regular irrigation while roots expand into the surrounding soil. Mature specimens bloom and retain foliage better when watered during prolonged drought, but constantly wet ground should be avoided.

Toxicity

Crape myrtle is not commonly regarded as toxic to people, cats, dogs, or horses. Nevertheless, ornamental plant material should not be intentionally eaten, and any concerning ingestion should be discussed with an appropriate medical or veterinary professional.

Invasiveness

‘Miami’ is not an aggressive spreading tree. Related Lagerstroemia indica material has naturalized in parts of the southeastern United States, however. Remove unwanted seedlings near sensitive natural areas and follow current regional guidance.

Growing Conditions for Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’

Light

Full sun is strongly recommended. Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; eight or more hours generally produce the heaviest flowering, densest canopy, richest fall color, and lowest fungal disease pressure. Shade can result in fewer flowers, thinner growth, and branches that lean toward available light.

Soil

‘Miami’ adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soil provided drainage is adequate. Slightly acidic to neutral conditions are ideal, although established plants tolerate a broader pH range. Strongly alkaline soil may cause iron chlorosis, visible as yellow leaves with greener veins.

Water

Water deeply after planting and whenever the developing root zone begins to dry. Deep irrigation encourages broad root development, while frequent shallow sprinkling does not. Once established, water during prolonged drought rather than keeping the soil continuously moist.

Feeding

Excess nitrogen can produce lush leafy growth, delay flowering, increase aphid activity, and reduce winter hardiness. Apply compost or a modest slow-release fertilizer in spring only when soil fertility or plant performance indicates a need. A soil test is preferable to routine heavy feeding.

Planting, Maintenance, and Propagation

Planting Tips

Plant in spring or fall with the root flare visible at or slightly above grade. Dig a hole wider than the root ball but no deeper, backfill with the existing soil, water thoroughly, and mulch over a broad area. Keep mulch several inches away from the trunks and allow for a mature spread of approximately 12-15 ft.

Maintenance and Pruning

Crape myrtles bloom on new wood, so necessary structural pruning is best completed in late winter or early spring. Remove dead, damaged, rubbing, crossing, or inward-growing branches and unwanted basal shoots. To develop a tree form, retain three to five strong trunks and gradually remove lower lateral branches as the plant matures.

Never top ‘Miami’ or cut every branch back to large stubs. Severe annual pruning destroys the upright crown, creates clusters of weak shoots, hides the ornamental bark, and commits the owner to repeated corrective work. If the site cannot accommodate a 20-25 ft. tree, select a smaller cultivar.

Propagation

Propagate ‘Miami’ vegetatively from cuttings to preserve its flower color, upright habit, bark, and disease resistance. Seedlings will not reliably reproduce the cultivar and may differ considerably in size, bloom color, and performance.

Problems and Pests

‘Miami’ has very good resistance to powdery mildew and fairly good tolerance to Cercospora leaf spot. Resistance lowers the likelihood and severity of disease but does not guarantee completely symptom-free foliage under every combination of shade, crowding, humidity, and stress. Clemson also lists ‘Miami’ among hybrid cultivars with moderate resistance to crape myrtle aphids.

• Aphids: The cultivar has moderate resistance, but colonies may still feed on young growth and produce sticky honeydew.
• Sooty mold: Black fungal growth develops on honeydew from aphids or scale. Manage the sap-feeding insect rather than treating the coating alone.
• Crapemyrtle bark scale: White or gray felted insects may collect on trunks and branches, producing honeydew and dark sooty mold.
• Cercospora leaf spot: ‘Miami’ has fairly good tolerance, but warm, wet conditions may still produce spotting and premature leaf drop.
• Powdery mildew: Very good resistance greatly reduces risk, although shade, crowding, and severe plant stress may still increase disease pressure.
• Japanese beetles: Adults may chew flowers and foliage where populations are high.
• Iron chlorosis: Yellow leaves with green veins may develop in strongly alkaline soil.
• Winter injury: Cold near the northern hardiness limit may damage stems and delay the following season’s bloom.

Design Ideas and Companion Plants with Lagerstroemia ‘Miami’

These companions tolerate full sun, summer heat, and well-drained soil while providing enough contrast to showcase the dark pink canopy. Plant them beyond the immediate trunk zone and account for increasing shade beneath the tree as it matures.

• Blue-green vertical structure: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ – upright blue-green blades add rhythm and winter structure.
• Silver-blue foreground: Salvia ‘Blue Spire’ (Russian Sage) – silver stems and blue flowers cool the rich pink tones while tolerating heat and dry soil.
• Golden summer contrast: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ – golden flowers create a vivid complementary contrast.
• Airy fall movement: Muhlenbergia capillaris – pink plumes echo the flowers and extend the rosy theme into autumn.
• Soft yellow foreground: Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ – pale yellow flowers brighten the planting without overwhelming the tree.
• Native summer layer: Echinacea purpurea – coneflowers add stronger pollinator value and an upright foreground.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

U.S. National Arboretum – Plant Introductions, Lagerstroemia ×egolfii ‘Miami’: https://www.usna.usda.gov/science/plant-introductions-and-releases/plant-intros-common1/

U.S. National Arboretum – Crapemyrtles Poster: https://www.usna.usda.gov/assets/images/as_standard_image/USNA_Crapemyrtle_Poster.pdf

Clemson Cooperative Extension – Crape Myrtle Cultivars: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle-varieties/

Clemson Cooperative Extension – Crape Myrtle Diseases and Insect Pests: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle-diseases-insect-pests/

Clemson Cooperative Extension – Crape Myrtle Pruning: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle-pruning/

LSU AgCenter – Crape Myrtles: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/0/1/0/3/0136292f7a44a31b816008eccfe6b273/pub1466crapemyrtleshighres.pdf

Updated: July 2026 • Reviewed by Gardenia Editors