Designated the Texas state shrub in 1997, the crape myrtle is the prettiest addition to any Texas landscape. Commonly referred to as the “queen” of crape myrtles, the natchez shows off its bright white flowers during Texas’ sweltering hot summer days. Its glossy, dark green leaves are about 1.5 to 3 in. wide and 3/4 to 1.5 inches wide and display beautiful yellow fall colors. The most notable feature of the natchez is its exfoliating, mottled, dark cinnamon brown bark. It is best grown in full sun, and will grow at a rate of 1 to 2 feet a year, reaching to a height of about 15 to 30 feet at maturity. They are extremely drought and heat resistant, as well as powdery mildew resistant.
Natchez crape myrtle
