Name: Lagerstroemia indica 'Cherry Delight' (Cherry Delight Crape Myrtle)

Average Landscape Size: 8–12 ft tall × 6–8 ft wide; upright, vase-shaped small tree habit

Sun Requirements: Full sun; minimum 6 hours direct sunlight for best blooming

Water Needs: Low to moderate; very drought tolerant once established

Deer Resistance: High

Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9; excellent heat and cold tolerance, thrives in Willis conditions

Fertilization & Pruning: Light fertilizer in early spring; minimal pruning needed, remove spent flower clusters for continuous blooms

Detailed Description: This Cherry Delight Crape Myrtle is absolutely spectacular with those brilliant cherry-red flower clusters that bloom from summer clear through fall – it's like having fireworks in your landscape all season long! Most homeowners love these at 8–12 feet tall with that beautiful vase shape that creates perfect scale for today's yards. But here's the bonus – when winter comes, that gorgeous exfoliating bark in shades of cream and cinnamon provides year-round interest even without leaves! Those crinkled flower clusters are absolutely stunning and keep producing new blooms if you deadhead the spent ones. Here in Willis, this beauty handles our heat and drought like a champion and provides incredible multi-season interest. This is your go-to tree for non-stop summer color with winter bark beauty – it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Created: September 18, 2025