Many others, of varying ages can be seen elsewhere in Seattle. Some blocks have them lining the street. Hot sites, with reflected heat produce best results.

Ron's right, and I have several varieties and have had good luck with them, when placed in sunny well-draining locations. They have flowers, gorgeous trunks and grand fall foilage in most cases--recommend!

I didn't see larger, older one at C.U.H. flowering after it was moved from the hotspot on the south side of the old Arboretum office to the open collections, where there was no reflected heat. Current location, on south side of C.U.H. seems to have brought about a return to regular flowering. Those planted out in the parking north of Douglas Conservatory will also be getting plenty of warmth off of the asphalt around them.

If anyone knows of a nursery carrying them in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island, could you let me know? Thanks!

Also, I bought seed from Park's of a "dwarf" crape myrtle -- anyone have experience with these?

Call some garden centres, surely at least a few will have them in season (summer). They are not hard to find down here.

When I worked at Teufel nursery in Everett they got in some flowering Crape Myrtlettes, which were cute until they started to mildew.

i think i have a ton of crape myrtle seeds lying around if you like...either that or i threw them away. in any case, there'll be more this year.

-ming

I've grown the dwarf crape myrtle from seed. Very easy,
they were blooming at 6" under the grow lights. I lost them to neglect but started them again this year but no bloom yet. I also have what I think are regular ones, also started from seed.

Thanx to all. Now I have to plant some asphalt and get that established...........

Michael

Don't laugh but I bought 5 varieties from a seller on Ebay.
Just do a search for crape myrtle and check out feedback first. I got 5 at one time and all are doing well. Very very reasonable

My suggestion is to choose for color of bark and fall foliage. I have a 'Natchez' which has increadible reddish-brown peeling bark and increadible bright scarlet foliage in autumn. Portland does not seem to get enough heat to make it flower like the one I had in Louisiana. Choose the earliest flowering varieties or ones with such outstanding features that you dont care if it ever flowers.

I had just seen some Crape Myrtles at Portland Ave Nursery in Tacoma. Two colors, red or purple flowers.

Most independent garden centers will have them, in season. See TREES OF SEATTLE - SECOND EDITION for discussion of local prescence.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees of Seattle - Second Edition