Pink Velour Crape Myrtle

Pink Velour® is the named crape myrtle selection Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit III', grown for vivid pink summer flowers and foliage that opens in dark wine tones. It is a deciduous, upright large shrub or small tree; its size and color can vary with climate, light and growing conditions. ## Flowers and foliage The breeder describes shrill pink flowers and dark wine foliage that is most pronounced in spring. Oklahoma State University Extension reports pink flowers from early July until frost, with spring foliage in burgundy and a dark purple cast as leaves mature. In bright, warm conditions the pink display is most vivid. The long flowering season and changing foliage give this cultivar interest before and during bloom. ## Placement and growing conditions Plant in full sun for the best flowering and foliage color. Provide well-drained soil with regular moisture while the root system establishes; established plants tolerate drought, though extended dry periods can reduce flowering and stress the plant. The Oklahoma State profile rates Pink Velour for USDA zone 6b. Exact mature size varies: Extension describes a plant around 10 feet tall, while the breeder reports a large shrub or small tree reaching 12 feet or more. Allow room for a substantial woody crown rather than treating it as a compact shrub. It can anchor a sunny mixed border or stand as a small ornamental tree. ## Maintenance Water new plantings deeply as needed through their first growing seasons, then reduce irrigation as roots establish. Crape myrtles flower on current-season growth, so routine topping is unnecessary and can spoil the plant’s natural form. In late winter, remove dead or crossing branches and any suckers that are not wanted; leave the framework intact.