Tuskegee Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tuskegee’) is a popular cultivar prized for its showy, watermelon-red flowers and attractive bark. It’s a deciduous tree, meaning it loses its leaves in the fall, and can grow to be 15-20 feet tall and wide. The Tuskegee Crape Myrtle thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, but it can tolerate various soil types, including clay and alkaline soil, once established. It’s also known for its resistance to powdery mildew and its ability to tolerate heat and moderate drought. 

• Deciduous: Loses its leaves in the fall
• Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed, rounded form
• Height: 15-20 feet
• Spread: 15-20 feet
• Bark: Light grayish-tan, exfoliating (peeling)
• Leaves: Elliptic to oblong, dark green in summer, turning orange-red in fall 
• Flower Color: Watermelon-red to dark pinkish-red
• Bloom Period: Summer into early fall
• Flower Type: Single flowers in large, rounded to elongated clusters
• Heat and Drought Tolerance: The Tuskegee Crape Myrtle is well-suited for hot, sunny climates and can tolerate moderate drought conditions 
• Disease Resistance: It’s known for its resistance to powdery mildew