Lagerstroemia
SALES HINTS
1. The
Blooming Season
Our patented Lagerstroemias Miniature Weeping Crape Myrtles) begin
blooming in mid to late May and continue blooming throughout the summer until about
October or the first frost. Total blooming period is mid-May through October(5 months)
click photo
var. 'Lafayette'(left) and var. 'Worlds Fair'(right) in clay pots
(photo of Daryl at Home of Jeff and Brian Chopin)
2. Time of Bloom
Just as important as the length of the blooming period is the time or
season of bloom. Our Patented Crape Myrtles bloom during the hot summer months when most
other perennial plants are finished.
3.Cold Tolerance
Many growers are quick to point out that crape myrtles are basically
warm area plants - and that's true, especially if they are trees planted in the landscape
and subject to nature. Our Mini Crapes can be used as a landscape plant and still be hardy
to Zone 5. That's one-half of the U.S., including the Sun Belt and the West Coast. But
possibly its greatest use may be as a blooming pot plant and/or hanging basket. In a
6" pot or 8" hanging basket the plants are cold hardy to about -15F when left
outdoors.
variety 'Bicolor' on the front steps of the Washington(Pa) County
Courthouse Home of the Historic "Whiskey Rebellion"
Grown in Zone 5(-15F) Pittsburgh, Pa
4. Heat
Loving
Another excellent selling point: the only perennials that thrived and
bloom during mid-summer heat waves are Crape Myrtles. And remember there is not a single
city in the US that does not get HOT in the summer.
5.Versatility
The Miniature Weeping Lagerstroemias can go from a liner to a 6"
pot or 10" basket for Mother's Day and All-Summer Sales. Since I have genetically
bred crape myrtle trees into miniatures, some have called them "instant bonsai".
3 year old variety 'Sacramento'(foreground) and
'Baton Rouge'(background) in Washington County(Zone 5, -15F)Pa. in half
whiskey barrels
6. Attractiveness of Foliage
Many have called Our Patented Lagerstroemias "foliage plants that
bloom".
3 year old variety 'Creole'
showing rare "layering" branches.
Potted in half whiskey barrel, Zone 5
Notice the "Layering" of Branches
7. Energy Efficient
We like to call our Patented Mini Weeping Crape Myrtles the "plant of NEXT CENTURY 2000"
because of its energy efficiency. Growers of liner can cut back their greenhouses to 50°F
in the winter and early spring.
8.
Speed of Crop
Our Patented Lagerstroemia Liners to finished product in only 90 days
or less! This is one of the fastest growing plants you'll ever try. Use 3 liners small
plants) to finish 10" Hanging Basket for Mothers Day or Late Spring Sales.
9.
Length of Salable (ie, Blooming) Plant Material
From Mother's Day through October, the Mini weeping Crape Myrtle is
salable and in full bloom from late-May through September.
10. Patented
Our Miniature Weeping Crape Myrtles varieties have valuable U.S. Plant
Patents.
11. Breeding & Research Potential
We are constantly
developing new Lagerstroemia varieties, colors, earlier bloomers. We are currently engaged
year 'round forcing experiments.
variety 'Bicolor' on the front steps of the Historic Washington, Pa. County
Courthouse Home of the Famous "Whiskey Rebellion"
Foreground variety
'Bicolor' used as Specimen Plants in Zone 5. Rear shows
variety 'Baton Rouge'
