Purple Crape Myrtle

Twilight Large Purple Crape Myrtle Tree

The five leading purple crape myrtles are:

1.  Twilight – which can exceed 30 feet. | 20–25 feet | 8–10 inches | Midsummer to early fall |

2.  Catawba which grows to about 20 to 25 feet. | Catawba | 12–15 feet | 6–8 inches | Mid to late summer |

3.  Zuni purple crape myrtle grows twelve to fifteen feet tall. 8–10 feet (shrub form) | 6–8 inches | Mid to late summer |

3.  Dwarf Centennial – a purple arching crape that reaches about three feet

4.  Royal Velvet – a deep purple precisely as named, almost the color of royal robes!  It reaches a little over three feet.

5.  Powhaten – fifteen to eighteen feet tall.  Broad tree shape.

6.  Muskogee is a Lavender Crape, not a true purple but because it is one of the most popular crapes and a USDA National Arboretum Crape it is included here. | 25–30 feet | 8–12 inches | Early to mid summer

Purple crapes are generally later blooming crapes, though Royal Velvet is the first of the four to bloom.  Enjoy these beautiful crapes.

Twilight Large Purple Crape Myrtle

Twilight. Fifteen to eighteen feet tall. Small broad tree shape, introduced by the USDA National Arboretum.

1. Twilight Crape Myrtle

• Height & Spread: Reaches 30–35 feet tall; one of the tallest purple crape myrtles available.

• Growth Habit: Upright, tree-form with a strong, vase-like structure.

• Bloom Color: Rich, saturated purple with a velvety tone.

• Panicles: Large, showy clusters ranging from 8–12 inches long.

• Bloom Period: Midsummer through early fall.

• Notable Traits: Exceptional height makes it a standout in large landscapes. Tolerates heat and humidity well. Often used as a shade or specimen tree.

• Recognition: While not specifically Texas A&M designated, it’s prized in southern landscapes and included in many professional plant palettes for the Southeast.

Twilight purple crape myrtle reaches over 40 feet tall.  This park is north of Baylor Hospital and across the street from the Meadows Foundation.   In the summer when the wind blows the purple blossoms rain down like purple snow.

Twilight purple crape myrtle reaches over 40 feet tall.

Multi-colored Purple Crapes at World Park

Catawba Crape Myrtle

Catawba Crape Myrtle

• Height & Spread: Typically grows 15–20 feet tall and wide.

• Growth Habit: Dense, rounded form; ideal for smaller urban tree settings.

• Bloom Color: Deep grape-purple.

• Panicles: 6–8 inches long; compact but richly colored.

• Bloom Period: Mid to late summer.

• Notable Traits: Disease-resistant, especially to powdery mildew. Considered one of the most color-consistent purples.

• Recognition: Developed by the USDA National Arboretum and widely recommended in Texas and Southeastern states for resilience and showy blooms.

 Hardy Lavender Crape Myrtles

Hardy lavender on a standard trunk.  Shortest bloom time of any crape at 75 days. Small pannicles, little or no rebloom associated with this tree. Late bloomer, short blooming season.

Hardy Lavender Crape Myrtle

• Color: Lavender blooms, generally mid-tone—not as deep as Muskogee, but darker than Apalachee

• Height/Spread: Often reaches 8–10 feet, though size may vary by source or nursery

• Form: Shrubby or small tree form, compact and dense habit

• Bloom Period: Long blooming—summer through early fall

• Panicle Size: Medium panicles, with a more refined shape

• Drought Tolerance: High; adapted to hot, dry climates

• Cold Tolerance: Tolerant to Zone 6 or 7, depending on rootstock and site conditions

• Recognition:

  • Often available through nurseries promoting hardy crape selections

  • Sometimes included in Texas Master Gardener plant trials, though not an official Texas A&M Earth-Kind® selection as of now

  • Known for being one of the more cold-tolerant lavender types

Zuni Crape Myrtles

Zuni Crape Myrtle reaches ten to fifteen feet in the Dallas area. This purple crape was introduced by the USDA National Arboretum. Like Tuskegee and Tonto, you can expect this crape to be almost as wide as it is tall.

Zuni Crape Myrtle

• Height & Spread: 10–12 feet tall; can be grown as a large shrub or small multi-trunk tree.

• Growth Habit: Rounded and compact.

• Bloom Color: Soft to medium purple, slightly pinkish in tone.

• Panicles: 6–8 inches long; full and consistent.

• Bloom Period: Mid to late summer.

• Notable Traits: Excellent mildew resistance, good for smaller spaces or mixed borders.

• Recognition: Another USDA National Arboretum release, valued for its size and disease resistance.

Zuni Crape Myrtle. Wide purple crape with large pannicles.

Not sure this is a Zuni, it is a bit deeper in color and a bit larger than a Zuni.  It seems to have a similar growth habit to the Dallas Red Crape Myrtle ….   The two broad crapes that can be expected to be almost as wide as they are tall.  For the Dallas Red in the back ground it appears two or three crapes were planted together.  The impact is impressive.

 Muskogee Lavender or Light Purple Crape Myrtle

Muskogee Crape Myrtle

• Height & Spread: 25–30 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide.

• Growth Habit: Vase-shaped tree with smooth, light-colored bark.

• Bloom Color: Light lavender—technically not a true purple but included due to popularity and color resemblance.

• Panicles: 12–16 inches long; some of the largest in the crape myrtle family.

• Bloom Period: Early summer to early fall; one of the longest blooming cultivars.

• Notable Traits: Excellent disease resistance and fast growth. Frequently used in public plantings, medians, and large landscapes.

• Recognition: Developed by the USDA National Arboretum and widely planted in Texas and across the South for its durability and bloom duration.

Apalachee Crape Myrtle

Apalachee Crape Myrtle

• Color: Pale lavender blooms

• Height/Spread: Medium-sized, typically grows to 12–15 feet tall with a similar spread

• Form: Upright, vase-shaped tree with good branching structure

• Bloom Period: Mid- to late summer, continuing into fall in warm climates

• Panicle Size: Medium to large panicles, with soft, delicate flower clusters

• Bark: Distinctive cinnamon to beige exfoliating bark, adding winter interest

• Foliage: Medium green leaves that may turn orange or red in fall

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate to high once established

• Cold Tolerance: Hardy to USDA Zone 7

• Recognition:

  • Developed by the U.S. National Arboretum as part of their breeding program

  • Bred for powdery mildew resistance, attractive bark, and ornamental value

  • Often included in lists of recommended landscape trees for the Southeastern U.S.

Apalachee. Fifteen to Eighteen Feet. Upright tree. Introduced by the USDA National Arboretum.

Miniature Purple Crape Myrtles

Velma Purple miniature crape. Reaches no more than four feet tall.  Petite orchid is small in size.

Velma Crape Myrtle

• Color: Deep purple blooms, rich and saturated in tone

• Height/Spread: Grows to about 3 feet tall, with a similar compact spread

• Form: Rounded, dense and shrubby, perfect for container gardening, edging, or mass plantings

• Bloom Period: Mid-summer through fall; reblooms with regular deadheading

• Panicle Size: Small to medium; tight, dome-shaped panicles well-suited to the plant’s miniature size

• Drought Tolerance: High once established; ideal for low-water landscapes

• Cold Tolerance: Hardy to USDA Zone 7, potentially Zone 6 with protection

• Recognition:

  • Often included in specialty nursery selections for miniature or patio-friendly crapes

  • Valued in urban and container landscapes due to its compact size

  • Not yet officially recognized by Texas A&M or the National Arboretum, but recommended by drought-tolerant plant lists in Southern garden publications

Petite Orchid Crape Myrtle

• Color: Lavender-purple to orchid-toned blooms with a slightly lighter hue than Velma

• Height/Spread: Reaches 2 to 4 feet tall, with a mounded, symmetrical habit

• Form: Miniature crape myrtle, very compact, often grown in pots, small beds, or low borders

• Bloom Period: Early summer into fall, with strong rebloom potential

• Panicle Size: Small but abundant panicles, well-distributed across the plant

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate to high; prefers full sun and well-drained soils

• Cold Tolerance: Hardy to USDA Zone 7, tolerates Zone 6 with protection

• Recognition:

  • Part of the Petite™ Series, bred for compact growth and container versatility

  • Frequently found in nurseries and garden centers across the Southern U.S.

  • Not yet part of Texas A&M’s official recommended list, but performs well in Texas heat and dry conditions

Royalty Crape Myrtle

• Color: Deep purple blooms, often described as rich, velvety, and similar in tone to royal garments. The color holds well in strong sun and contrasts beautifully with dark green foliage.

• Height/Spread: Typically grows to about 3 to 4 feet in height, forming a dense, compact mound. Ideal for small gardens, patio containers, borders, or foundation plantings.

• Form: Dwarf rounded shrub with a slightly spreading habit. Maintains a tidy silhouette with minimal pruning.

• Bloom Period: Mid-to-late summer with occasional reblooming through early fall if spent blooms are removed. Strong performer in hot climates.

• Panicle Size: Small to medium, dense clusters proportional to the shrub’s size. The rich flower color is its most notable trait.

• Drought Tolerance: High – once established, it thrives in full sun with minimal supplemental watering.

• Cold Tolerance: Best in USDA Zones 7–9. In Zone 6, it may die back to the ground in harsh winters but often regrows in spring.

• Texas A&M Recognition:

  • Not listed on the official Texas Superstar® list, but Royalty is regionally recognized by Texas growers and garden centers for its performance in urban landscapes and water-wise gardens.

• Other Notes:

  • Its deep purple hue is uncommon among dwarf crape varieties, making it a favorite for contrasting color palettes.

  • Excellent for pollinator gardens – attracts bees and butterflies.

  • Can be used as an accent plant or in mass planting for dramatic color close to ground level.

Centennial Crape Myrtle

• Color: Purple blooms with deep violet tones, often appearing as a rich, mid-to-deep hue depending on lighting and soil

• Height/Spread: Grows to about 2.5 to 3 feet tall, with a slightly arching to rounded shape

• Form: Dwarf shrub, compact and bushy, ideal for borders, mass plantings, or container gardening

• Bloom Period: Mid-to-late summer through early fall, with excellent reblooming potential if deadheaded

• Panicle Size: Small to medium; flowers form in rounded clusters, scaled to the size of the plant

• Drought Tolerance: High once established – thrives in hot, dry climates with minimal watering

• Cold Tolerance: Hardy to USDA Zone 7; may survive in Zone 6 with protection or in sheltered spots

• Texas A&M Recognition:

  • While not on the official Texas Superstar® list, Centennial has been widely recommended by Texas horticulturists and is available at many nurseries in Central and North Texas due to its heat and drought performance

• Other Notes:

  • Its arching branches give it a graceful silhouette even when not in bloom

  • A low-maintenance option perfect for xeriscaping or small-space gardens

Velour Series of Crape Myrtles

The Velour™ Series was bred for:

• Compact size and dense growth habit

• Rich, dark foliage in spring (typically burgundy or purple) that turns greenish-bronze in summer

• Long blooming season with prolific flowers that resist fading

• Urban-friendly use due to its smaller size and low maintenance

These cultivars were developed by Plant Development Services, Inc., known for breeding ornamental plants for hot, humid climates like the American South.

Velour Series Features

• Growth Habit: Rounded to upright shrubs or small trees; great for mass plantings, borders, or foundation landscapes.

• Foliage: All cultivars feature dramatic dark foliage (burgundy to deep purple) that holds color through summer, providing a striking contrast to bloom colors.

• Disease Resistance: Bred for improved resistance to powdery mildew and leaf spot, which commonly affect older crape myrtle varieties.

• Low Maintenance: Minimal pruning required, but removing spent panicles can encourage reblooming.

• Landscape Use: Excellent for urban planting, containers, hedges, or accent plantings.

Notes:

• The Velour Series was developed for ornamental performance in warm climates, making them excellent choices for Texas and Southeastern U.S. gardens.

Centennial Miniature Crape Myrtle

Miniature Crape Myrtle Centennial. Profuse bloomer with large panicles.

Royal Purple Velvet

Near East Weeping Crape. May reach eight to ten feet. Slow grower.

Near East Weeping Crape Myrtle

• Color: Soft pink blooms with subtle peach undertones. Flowers are delicate in tone, creating a romantic, understated appearance.

• Height/Spread: Reaches about 8 to 10 feet tall, with a gracefully weeping form. Its branches arch and cascade downward, making it a distinctive ornamental choice for landscape features.

• Form: Weeping or arching tree form. Unlike upright crape myrtles, Near East’s cascading habit gives it a fountain-like silhouette, ideal as a specimen or focal point.

• Bloom Period: Early to mid-summer with sporadic reblooming through early fall in warm climates. The weeping structure enhances the visual impact of blooming clusters.

• Panicle Size: Medium-sized panicles; while not exceptionally large, the panicles appear lush due to their dense arrangement and the plant’s graceful structure.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate to high. Once established, Near East tolerates dry spells well but may benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged droughts.

• Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 7–9. May experience some dieback in Zone 6, especially in exposed locations.

• Texas A&M Recognition:

  • Not currently listed as a Texas Superstar®, but the cultivar has historical significance in Southern landscapes and was noted in earlier USDA and Southern nursery trials for its ornamental weeping form.

• Other Notes:

  • This variety was one of the first weeping crape myrtles introduced to the U.S. market, originally developed from breeding programs in the early-to-mid 20th century.

  • It is favored by landscape designers for adding visual softness and motion to gardens.

  • Pairs beautifully with upright evergreens or architectural elements like pergolas and fountains.

  • May require light structural pruning to maintain its cascading shape, especially in windy locations.