Summer Blooming Showstopper for Southern Climates
Line your landscape with this brilliant Tonto Crape Myrtle tree for lush pinkish red flowers all summer long!
A long bloom period of beautiful summer flowers, attractive fall foliage, and excellent drought-tolerance make this Crape Myrtle variety a favorite semi-dwarf variety for either formal or informal landscapes.
The dark green foliage will stay vibrant from early spring until flower color diminishes in early fall. The Tonto crape myrtle fall color can include shades of red, orange, and yellow. During winter, the leaves that turn colors will fall from this deciduous tree.
The National Arboretum presents the Lagerstroemia indica Tonto crape myrtle tree which has a vase shaped structure during the growing season. The bright red blooms appear in the early summer months and will last for months. They have an exceptionally long bloom time. The crepe myrtle Tonto has colorful peeling bark that accentuates the large clusters of flowers.
The tonto crape myrtle size makes it an excellent choice for a low informal hedge. A row of layered crape myrtle trees will provide beauty and privacy in your landscape. Makes the perfect choice for specimen planting as well.
TONTO CRAPE MYRTLE CARE
The Tonto flowering tree grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil. But it will tolerate less ideal positions in the landscape just as well once it becomes established. Be sure to water thoroughly the first year of planting to establish a strong root system.
This small tree grows best across the United States in USDA zones 7-9. A true southern classic. It is only slightly cold hardy down to 20 degrees without winter protection.
The tonto crape myrtle growth rate is moderate. It can grow to be 8-15 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide branch span making it perfect for small planting spaces. Most gardeners grow this as a tonto crape myrtle shrub because of its short height and bushy stature.
It prefers well drained soil and is resistant to powdery mildew and other disease resistance such as leaf spot. A very easy to care for tree!
To plant the Tonto myrtle, dig a hole the size of the nursery container. Backfill with soil and mulch thoroughly for best results. Learn How to Properly Prune a Crape Myrtle in our blog and avoid a method of pruning we call crape murder.
The addition of a slow release fertilizer at the top of the root ball will aid in the production of larger red flower clusters. The tree includes planting instructions.
Shop the Tonto Crape Myrtle for sale.
Check out our Crape Myrtle Grow Guide for more information on planting and growing crepe myrtles!
Ask a question
Sunlight
Full Sun
Flower Color
Pink-Red
Foliage Color
Green
Mature Width
6-10 ft
Mature Height
8-15 ft
Growing Zones 7, 8, 9
- Reviews
- Questions
the tree had some spots but i picked them off and applied a fungicide. good to go
Perfect Plants
We appreciate your feedback< Carol and will be sure to share with our team. Happy to hear that your Tonto Crape Myrtle Tree is thriving now.
I have a very long 1/3 mile driveway leading to my house that I have lined with these Tonto crape myrtles. They have not bloomed yet and I was told it may not happen until next growing season so the roots can establish. Looking forward to these gorgeous pink flowers!
Perfect Plants
Hi Amma! That sounds like a pretty view of our Tonto Crape Myrtle Tree. Hope they bloom for you soon. Take care!
The tonto trees i bought to provide some color in my backyard and added to my privacy screen
Perfect Plants
Thank you Andy for sharing your rating with our community. Hope you are able to enjoy your Tonto Crape Myrtle Tree for many years to come. Happy planting!
