This product does not ship to: Idaho

Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle

Proven Winners

$29.99
(1 review) Write a Review
Availability : In Stock
Spring 2024 Pre-Order - Learn More
$29.99
This product does not ship to: Idaho
  • Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 6 - 12 Feet
  • Mature Width 8 Feet
  • Growing Zones 7-9

Sometimes called the Grand Dame of the South, Crape Myrtle (or crepe myrtle as some spell it) is the time honored graceful tree-like shrub that lines Main streets all over the Mid to Deep South, the Southwest US and up along the Pacific Coast into Oregon, Zones 7a through 9b. Colorful hot pink, cone shaped panicles of crinkled paper florets tower loftily over the dark red/black foliage of Center Stage Pink Crape Myrtle, which was specifically bred for its desirable dark foliage, to resist disease, and bloom even earlier than conventional crape myrtles, often in late spring to early summer. Crape myrtles are very heat tolerant and perform best in poor to medium quality soils. Once the blooms are done, attractive seed clusters and the beautiful exfoliating bark that develops after a few years will add postseason interest to your garden and landscape.

Native to Southeast Asia, crape myrtles have naturalized extensively across the United States. Their tall upright form is ideally suited for urban developments and its tolerance for drought conditions make it an easy to care for shrub for your home landscape. Easily trained to be single trunk tree-like shrubs or left as multi-stemmed shrubs, this beautiful warm season deciduous shrub is a must have for any serious gardener. Deer and rabbits don’t bother it and when planted in an environment it thrives in, it is very disease resistant. It is particularly beautiful when it is massed out in an attractive hedge fashion, but equally fantastic as a specimen plant in your landscape.

The Center Stage series of crapemyrtles was developed by Megan Mathey at Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs with two goals in mind--very disease resistant black foliage, and super stunning flower colors! These beauties are hardy in zones 6b-10, with blooms appearing earlier and three colors to select from. The Center Stage series continues to perform very well in heat trials as well as in our field and gardens in West Michigan. 

Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle Care

Since it is a tree-like shrub, follow the advice given about planting only in months that end in an ‘R’ for best results. This means early fall through early spring is best. Crape myrtle tolerates many types of soil including rocky soil and heavy clay soils and are so versatile. It does not tolerate a wet soggy soil, however, so avoid poor draining areas of your landscape. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, replacing or amending the native soil with a good garden mix that contains perlite, peat moss, vermiculite and finely ground pine bark. This should provide the mildly acidic to neutral soil pH that it does best in. Water deeply 2 to 3 times a week until it is established and then weekly if you are in an area that does not get adequate rainfall.

If planting in the fall months, wait until spring to fertilize as that is when the most active growth begins. Flowers will form on new wood, so remove any dead, disformed or diseased branches late winter to early spring. Resist too much pruning, however, as it is not necessary and you can do serious harm to your shrub with indiscriminate pruning. Start pruning at soil level and remove any suckers that form to keep emphasis on the main trunk(s), then prune any horizontal branches and any that cross over into the middle of the trunk. This will increase airflow and the overall health of the tree. You can remove spent blooms and the subsequent seed clusters and may be rewarded with a second flush of blooms.

Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle Spacing

These tree-like shrubs can reach up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide so give them up to 8 feet of space in between shrubs. Crape Myrtles are just as attractive when planted to line a driveway or street as they are as foundation plants or by themselves as a focal point in your landscape or garden. You are going to want this beautiful shrub in your landscape this spring.

Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9
Plant Type: Shrub
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 6 - 12 Feet
Mature Spread: 8 Feet
Mature Spacing: 8 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Pink
Flower Description: Large, showy blooms in clusters
Bloom Period: Spring to fall
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Foliage Color(s): Dark red/black
Foliage Description: Medium-sized, oval leaves
Seasonal Interest: Summer
Watering: Moderate
Resists: Deer, rabbit, disease, pests/insects
Tolerates: Heat, salt, drought
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Uses: Specimen plant, hedge, border
Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance
Brand: Proven Winners
Common Name: Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle
Other Name(s): 
Botanical/Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica 'SMNLIG' USPPAF
SKU:
LAGSP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

1 Review - Center Stage® Pink Crape Myrtle Show Reviews

  • 2
    Sad Little...

    Posted by Cynthia Frei on May 02, 2023

    The tree arrived looking pretty sad. We followed all the planting directions but not sure the tree will survive. Disappointed.