Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle - 5 Gallon

Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle is a compact, deciduous flowering shrub in the Lythraceae (loosestrife) family, bred for intense flower color and a manageable, well-disciplined form. The cultivar name 'HOCH1065' is sold under the registered trademark Summerlasting Plum and carries plant patent status (PPAF). It features a dense, rounded growth habit that maintains its tidy shape without heavy pruning, making it one of the most garden-friendly crape myrtle introductions for modern smaller landscapes. The flowers are produced in large, upright panicles at the tips of new growth, each floret displaying the distinctive crinkled, crepe-paper petals that give the genus its common name. Deep violet-purple in color, the blooms are exceptionally rich in saturation and appear in impressive abundance mid-summer. Dark green, simple leaves with entire margins provide clean summer foliage before giving way to warm autumn tones. The species is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and India and has been cultivated in American gardens for over 200 years.

The restrained, symmetrical form of Summerlasting Plum rarely requires structural pruning to maintain its shape. Its dwarf stature makes it one of the most versatile crape myrtles available for contemporary residential landscapes, particularly where space is limited or a uniform low hedge or border planting is desired.

Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle is rated for USDA Hardiness Zones 6a through 9b, making it suitable for a wide swath of the continental United States, including most of the South, Pacific Northwest lowlands, and mid-Atlantic regions. It thrives in the warm, sunny climates of Southern Oregon and Northern California, where long, hot summers provide the ideal conditions for peak flowering and robust growth. In the cooler end of its range (Zones 6 and 7), plants may experience some dieback of top growth during harsh winters but will typically resprout vigorously from the root zone in spring. Adequate summer heat is important for good flowering and for hardening the wood before winter. In the warmest parts of its range, the plant is essentially evergreen in mild winters but performs as a true deciduous shrub in areas with cold winters.

Full sun is essential for Summerlasting Plum to perform at its best. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is required for reasonable flowering, but 8 or more hours per day produces the most prolific and vibrant bloom display. Insufficient light leads to sparse flowering, a more open and less attractive growth habit, and significantly increased susceptibility to powdery mildew. Choose the sunniest, most open location in your garden for this plant, ensuring good air circulation around the foliage to further reduce disease pressure. Avoid planting in locations with afternoon shade, overhanging tree canopies, or enclosed corners where airflow is restricted.

Summerlasting Plum adapts well to a variety of soil types, including heavier clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. Prolonged waterlogging around the root zone will cause root rot. If your soil is alkaline, leaves may develop chlorosis (yellowing between the veins), which can be corrected by acidifying the soil or applying chelated iron. Avoid excessively rich soils, as high fertility tends to produce lush leafy growth at the expense of flowering.

During the first growing season after planting, water Summerlasting Plum deeply and regularly — approximately once or twice per week when rainfall is insufficient — to encourage a deep, well-established root system. Deep, infrequent watering is far more beneficial than shallow, frequent irrigation. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead, as wet foliage promotes powdery mildew. Once the plant is established (typically by its second growing season), it demonstrates excellent drought tolerance and requires only supplemental irrigation during extended dry periods. During prolonged summer droughts, occasional deep watering helps maintain peak flowering and prevents premature leaf drop. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than those in the ground and should be checked daily during hot summer weather.

Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle is a light feeder that typically performs well with minimal fertilizing in average garden soils. When supplemental feeding is appropriate — particularly for plants in sandy, nutrient-poor soils or container plantings — apply a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 formula) once in early spring, just before new growth begins. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and make plants more attractive to aphids and more vulnerable to powdery mildew. Never fertilize after mid-summer, as late-season fertilizing stimulates soft new growth that will not harden off adequately before the first frosts of autumn, increasing the risk of winter damage. If leaves appear pale or the plant seems unthrifty, a soil test is the most reliable way to identify and correct any deficiencies.

One of the most appealing qualities of Summerlasting Plum is its naturally compact, rounded habit that requires very little corrective pruning to maintain a tidy shape. The following guidelines will keep your plant healthy and attractive:

• Deadheading: Remove spent flower panicles promptly after the first flush of bloom to encourage a second wave of flowers and extend the overall display well into late summer or early fall.
• Light structural pruning: If any shaping or thinning is needed, do it in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. Remove any crossing, rubbing, or inward-growing stems to maintain an open center with good air circulation.
• Sucker removal: Promptly remove any basal suckers or shoots emerging from below the graft union throughout the growing season, as these divert energy from the main plant.
• Avoid heavy topping: Never resort to the practice commonly called "crape murder" — the severe topping of all main branches to stubby knuckles. This disfigures the plant, weakens the branch structure, and does not improve flowering. Because Summerlasting Plum is already a dwarf cultivar, there is no reason to cut it back hard.
• Mulching: Maintain a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch (bark, wood chips, or pine straw) over the root zone, keeping mulch a few inches away from the main stems to prevent rot and deter pests.

Summerlasting Plum provides outstanding ornamental interest across three seasons:

• Spring: Emerging foliage brings fresh new growth and signals the start of the season. The plant leafs out cleanly with attractive, medium to dark green leaves.
• Summer: The main flowering season runs from mid-summer onward, with dense clusters of brilliant violet-purple blooms appearing at the tips of new growth. When spent panicles are removed (deadheaded), the plant rebounds with a fresh flush of color, extending the blooming season substantially. This is the most dramatic season of display for this cultivar.
• Fall: As temperatures cool, the dark green foliage transforms into warm tones of red and orange, offering a vivid secondary display that rivals many dedicated ornamental shrubs. Persistent seed capsules add minor textural interest after leaf drop.
• Winter: After leaves drop, the clean branching structure of the shrub remains as a tidy, low framework in the garden. Unlike larger crape myrtle tree forms, the compact habit of Summerlasting Plum creates a neat dormant silhouette.

1. Select a site with a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily and good air circulation. Avoid low spots where water pools after rain.
2. Dig a planting hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. The top of the root ball should sit level with or very slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
3. Loosen the sides of the hole to encourage lateral root spread. In heavy clay soils, improve drainage by mixing in coarse horticultural grit or creating a slightly raised planting mound.
4. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any circling or matted roots. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it is positioned straight and upright.
5. Backfill with the original soil, tamping lightly as you go to eliminate air pockets. Avoid burying the trunk deeper than it was growing in the container.
6. Water the planting area thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil and hydrate the root ball.
7. Apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it at least 3 to 4 inches away from the main stem. Mulch conserves moisture, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.
8. Space multiple plants approximately 4 feet apart on center for a massed or hedge planting effect.

The compact size and bold flower color of Summerlasting Plum make it one of the most versatile crape myrtles for residential and commercial landscapes alike. Recommended uses include:

• Mixed shrub borders: The rich violet-purple blooms blend beautifully with a wide range of perennials, ornamental grasses, and other flowering shrubs in sunny mixed borders.
• Foundation planting: Its predictable, tidy mature size makes it an excellent choice for placing near home foundations and entryways where larger crape myrtles would quickly outgrow the space.
• Low flowering hedge: When planted in a row with 4-foot spacing, Summerlasting Plum creates a stunning, low informal hedge that bursts into vivid color all summer long.
• Mass planting: Mass plantings of this cultivar in open, sunny areas create a bold, carpet-like sweep of violet-purple that is impossible to overlook at the height of bloom.
• Container gardening: Its compact scale, showy flowers, and excellent heat tolerance make it an outstanding specimen for large patio containers, deck planters, and courtyard gardens.
• Accent planting: Use as a single-specimen focal point in a perennial bed, rock garden, or island bed where a reliable burst of summer color is desired.
• Cut flowers: The flower panicles make beautiful, long-lasting cut flowers for summer arrangements.

Summerlasting Plum pairs exceptionally well with plants that share its love of full sun and well-drained soil. Consider the following companion planting combinations:

• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): The soft lavender-blue spikes of Russian sage echo and complement the violet-purple crape myrtle blooms while adding a fine-textured, silvery foliage contrast.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida): Bold golden-yellow daisy flowers provide a vivid color contrast against the deep purple blooms, creating a classic warm-cool color pairing that peaks simultaneously in mid-summer.
• Ornamental Grasses (Pennisetum, Miscanthus): Feathery grass plumes in buff, silver, or bronze tones add textural contrast and graceful movement alongside the dense, rounded crape myrtle form.
• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa or S. greggii): Purple, blue, or red salvias harmonize with the crape myrtle's bloom color and share its heat and drought tolerance, extending the flower display through the season.
• Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii): Low mounds of lavender-blue catmint soften the front edge of a border while echoing the cool purple tones of the crape myrtle blooms above.
• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Bold pink or purple coneflowers bloom concurrently with Summerlasting Plum, creating a rich, pollinator-friendly summer border combination.

Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle is notably resistant to common pests and diseases when grown in the right conditions (full sun, good air circulation, well-drained soil). Be aware of the following potential issues:

• Powdery mildew: The most common fungal disease of crape myrtles, appearing as a white or grayish powdery coating on new leaves and buds. This cultivar shows good resistance, but risk increases in shaded, humid, or poorly ventilated locations. Prevention through proper siting is the best approach. If needed, treat with neem oil or potassium bicarbonate at the first sign of infection.
• Crape myrtle aphids (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani): A species-specific aphid that colonizes leaf undersides, producing sticky honeydew that promotes black sooty mold on foliage and surfaces below. Natural predators usually keep populations in check; a strong water spray or insecticidal soap application manages heavier infestations.
• Crape myrtle bark scale: A relatively recent invasive pest that appears as white, waxy clusters on bark and stems, causing sooty mold and reduced vigor. Manage by removing heavily infested stems and applying a systemic imidacloprid soil drench in spring for severe cases.
• Deer and rabbit resistance: Summerlasting Plum is rated as resistant to browsing damage from deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where these animals are a concern.
• Chlorosis: Yellowing of leaves between the veins can occur in alkaline soils. Correct by adjusting soil pH toward the acidic range or by applying chelated iron.

The naturally compact size of Summerlasting Plum makes it one of the best crape myrtle cultivars for container gardening. Here are key tips for success:

• Container size: Choose a large, sturdy container with drainage holes — at least 15 to 20 gallons in volume — to accommodate the root system and provide adequate moisture and nutrient reserves through the growing season.
• Potting mix: Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Avoid garden soil, which compacts in containers and impedes drainage. Adding perlite to commercial potting mix improves drainage and aeration.
• Watering: Containers dry out much more rapidly than in-ground plantings, especially during hot summer weather. Check moisture daily in summer and water thoroughly whenever the top inch of potting mix feels dry.
• Fertilizing: Container-grown plants benefit from regular feeding with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer applied in spring, with optional liquid supplementation every 4 to 6 weeks during the active growing season.
• Winter care: In zones 6 and 7, move containers to a sheltered, unheated garage or outbuilding for winter to protect the root zone from freezing temperatures that can kill containerized plants even if the same variety would survive in-ground.
• Repotting: Repot to a larger container every 2 to 3 years or when the plant becomes noticeably root-bound and dries out very rapidly after watering.

Summerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle provides meaningful ecological value in the home garden and broader landscape. The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators throughout the long summer bloom season, including honeybees, native bumblebees, and a range of smaller native bee species. Hummingbirds are occasionally attracted to the dense flower clusters. The foliage serves as a larval host plant for certain moth and butterfly species. Seed capsules that persist into fall and winter provide minor food interest for seed-eating birds. As a deer- and rabbit-resistant plant, it is a dependable choice for wildlife-friendly gardens where browsing pressure from these animals would otherwise limit plant selection. Its long bloom season ensures a sustained nectar source for pollinators during the critical mid-summer period when many other flowering shrubs have finished blooming.