Sioux Crape Myrtle

'Sioux' crape myrtle is an upright, narrow, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree. Its dark pink flower panicles brighten the summer canopy, followed by maroon-red autumn leaves and exfoliating bark as the plant matures. ## Form and flowering Expect about 4.6–6.1 m of height and 3.0–4.6 m of spread. The flowers typically open from late July into mid-September. ‘Sioux’ was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum and selected for improved powdery mildew resistance; it is not completely immune to disease. ## Planting and care Choose a sunny site with moist, well-drained soil; acidic loam or clay suits it. Organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture. Use the cultivar as a flowering specimen, border plant, or informal hedge, and allow room for its mature width. Aphids and scale insects may appear, while leaf spots and powdery mildew can occur. Flower petals may stain pavement, so avoid placing it immediately beside a walkway or driveway. The [North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lagerstroemia-sioux/) and [UF/IFAS Extension](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP328) provide additional cultivar details. ## Maintenance Prune in winter or early spring, before new growth, because this crape myrtle flowers on new wood. Keep mulch over the root zone and water during dry spells while the plant establishes.