Crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ is a plant cultivated from Crepe myrtle. The name is a nod to the bright pink blooms. This cultivar’s blooming period is what sets it apart from its parent plant and other species in the family. Crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ blooms over a longer period of time and produces more flowers.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
A very ornamental crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica Pink Velour® is a multi-season beauty enjoying an extraordinarily long blooming period, exfoliating bark, and superb fall color. Regarded as one of the most colorful varieties, it bears abundant clusters of crinkly, vibrant magenta-pink flowers at its branch tips for months, from midsummer to early fall, attracting strong attention from onlookers. Flowers give way to round seed capsules, which often persist well into winter.
This attractive deciduous shrub or small tree also features thick and leathery leaves that emerge burgundy red in spring, mature to purplish green by summer, and turn orange-brown in fall. The grayish-brown bark on mature branches exfoliates with age, adding further interest to the landscape. A great specimen or foundation plant.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ like full sunlight and are slightly shade-tolerant. They require plenty of light to grow vigorously and bloom in large numbers. Please select a field with 6-8h of direct sunlight a day, such as an open space in a garden, and avoid the shade from tall fences, buildings and other trees. Excessive shading will not only lead to the crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ not exuberant and less flowers, but also cause some diseases and pests on the leaves and buds, such as powdery mildew and sooty blotch.
Temperature
Crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’, native to Asia, is widely distributed in the temperate to subtropical zones. It grows well in the warm and humid climates. If planted in the cold region, it’s prone to freeze to death in cold climates.
Watering
Originating from the warm climates of Asia, crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ thrives in environments that mimic its native subtropical habitat. This species exhibits a preference for consistent moisture and demonstrates moderate drought tolerance once established. The ideal watering regimen for crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ is twice a week to maintain its lush foliage and vibrant blooms. As an ornamental plant often grown outdoors, crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour”s flowering potential is maximized when soil moisture is carefully managed to support its growth cycles without promoting root rot.
Soil
The crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ can tolerate different soil types and grow well in both calcareous and acid soil. The pH of most suitable soil for growth is 5.5-6.5. They like moist, fertile and well-drained sandy loam or loam. If the soil in the planting site is poor, it can be improved with compost or ordinary commercial fertilizers. If the soil is more viscous or sandy in texture, it can be adjusted with peat and rotten manure. Alkaline soil will cause leaves to turn yellow, organic fertilizers or garden compost can reduce the soil’s pH value, and a small amount of agricultural lime can increase the pH.
Fertilizing
To thrive, crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ benefits from balanced nutrition fertilizers, with periodic use of high-nitrogen variants. Fertilize in early spring, and again midway through the growing season, at a rate according to product instructions, usually a tablespoon per square foot. This regime promotes lush foliage and vibrant blooms. For smaller plants or during dormancy, reduce frequency and amount. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent growth issues. Wear gloves and distribute evenly, avoiding direct contact with the trunk base.
Planting Instructions
Planting in autumn or early spring is recommended, because a good root system can develop before the vigorous growing period if it’s planted before the germination of the plant. For seedling transplanting, the seedlings, 1-year to 3-year old, can be transplanted with naked roots. The seedlings, more than 3-year old, need to be planted with soil balls to keep the root system intact. The plant row spacing should be determined according to the variety, and sufficient space should be reserved to ensure good ventilation and reduce diseases.
This information can usually be found on the label of the plant, for example, if this variety is 91 cm in width at maturity, and then separate the plants by about 91 cm. Fully loosen soil before planting, dig a pit with a diameter of 2-3 times of the plant, with a depth of approximately same as that of the nursery pot, backfill the soil, and the top of the root mass should be level with the ground or slightly above the ground to ensure sufficient oxygen for the root system.
Pruning
Crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ blossoms in summer, therefore, it requires large-scale pruning during the dormancy period from winter to early spring. Pruning should be avoided in early autumn, as it will force the crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ to grow rather than dormancy. Severe freezing damage in winter can cause plant death in case of incomplete dormancy.
For a lagerstroemia plant with single trunk, one main trunk should be reserved, all lateral branches within 1.5 to 2 m from the ground should be trimmed off, and 3 branches on the trunk should be preserved as the main branches. For a lagerstroemia plant with multiple trunks, 3-5 robust branches should be reserved as the main trunks, the sprouts should be removed firstly, and the lateral branches of the lower half should be then removed for a tree form. Finally, the crowded or crossed branches in the crown and the branches that are too thin and too long should be trimmed to ensure good ventilation and light conditions in the center of the crown. The picture below shows a lagerstroemia plant with single trunk.
In addition to the pruning for shaping, attention should also be paid to removing the withered and dead branches in every winter. The withered branches are generally weak and yellow or extremely dark brown. If it is uncertain whether a branch is dead or not, a small amount of bark can be peeled off to see if the inside of the branch is green.
During the growing season, the sprouts in the lower part of the stem should be removed from time to time before flowering. New shoots that germinate in spring should not be pruned or truncated. After flowering in summer, the withered flowers (inflorescences) should be cut off in time to reduce the loss of nutrients and promote the germination of new branches and re-flowering.
Excessive topping should be avoided. Excessive pruning weakens the tree, causing the plant to grow a large number of tiny new branches. Although the plant is small and shrubby, but dense branches and poor ventilation are easy to cause powdery mildew. In addition, over-pruned lagerstroemia plants will grow branches and leaves with a lot of nutrient, thus reducing flowering and affecting the ornamental effect. The picture below shows a lagerstroemia that has been over-pruned.
Propagation
For the vibrant crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’, propagation through cuttings is effective. Choose healthy, non-flowering tips and cut just below a node. Using a rooting hormone promotes successful root development. Ensure a well-draining medium, such as a mix of peat and perlite, to support growth. Mist the cuttings to maintain humidity without soaking them. Once roots establish, transplant into individual pots with potting mix. Remember: sanitation is key, always use clean tools to prevent disease transmission to crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’.
Transplanting
For optimal establishment, crepe myrtle ‘Pink Velour’ should be transplanted when the warmth of late spring kisses the air, as roots thrive in this growing season. Choose sunny spots with well-draining soil. A gentle reminder: ensure root space for future growth.
III. Uses and Benefits
It perfect choice for perennial borders or mixed shrub borders. Perfect as a specimen plant or for foundation plantings. Good selection for coastal gardens.