Lagerstroemia indica × L. fauriei ‘Sioux’ Crepe Myrtle – 75mm Pot

Bring vibrant summer colour and year-round ornamental interest to the garden with Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’, an upright-growing crepe myrtle renowned for its rich pink flowers, colourful autumn foliage and attractive exfoliating bark.

Large clusters of crinkled, crepe-like flowers appear during summer, creating an impressive display in shades ranging from medium pink to rich musk or hot pink. As the weather cools, the green foliage develops attractive red, maroon, orange and yellow tones before falling.

As the tree matures, its smooth bark begins peeling naturally to reveal softly mottled grey, tan and caramel-pink colouring. Its relatively narrow, upright habit makes ‘Sioux’ an excellent feature tree for gardens where space is limited.

SUPPLIED IN A 75MM POT: This product is a young plant supplied in a 75mm nursery pot. The photographs show examples of mature trees and flowers only. The plant supplied will be considerably smaller and may be dormant, leafless or not flowering at the time of dispatch.

Flower Characteristics

• Rich medium-pink to musk-pink flowers

• Colour may appear hot pink under certain conditions

• Large terminal flower clusters

• Distinctively crinkled, crepe-like petals

• Flowers primarily during summer

• Flowering may continue into early autumn under favourable conditions

• Excellent seasonal colour for garden displays

• Flower intensity may vary with climate, light and maturity

Seasonal Interest

Spring

Fresh green foliage emerges as temperatures rise and active growth resumes.

Summer

Large clusters of rich pink flowers develop at the ends of the current season’s growth.

Autumn

The foliage may change to shades of red, maroon, orange and yellow before falling.

Winter

After the leaves fall, the tree’s smooth branches, attractive structure and developing mottled bark remain visible.

Key Features

• Named cultivar Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’

• Hybrid of Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei

• Part of the Indian Summer® crepe myrtle range

• Rich pink summer flowers

• Upright, relatively narrow growth habit

• Deciduous small tree or large shrub

• Typically grows approximately 4–6m high

• Typically spreads approximately 3–4m

• Attractive red, maroon, orange and yellow autumn foliage

• Smooth, exfoliating ornamental bark

• Selected for improved powdery mildew resistance

• Heat tolerant once established

• Drought tolerant once established

• Suitable for feature planting and smaller landscapes

• Can be trained as a single-trunk or multi-stemmed tree

• Supplied as a young plant in a 75mm nursery pot

Suitable Uses

• Feature trees

• Front and back gardens

• Cottage gardens

• Flowering-tree collections

• Urban gardens

• Courtyards with adequate planting space

• Driveway and entrance planting

• Street and avenue-style planting

• Mixed garden borders

• Seasonal colour displays

• Informal screening

• Large containers while young

• Gardens requiring summer flowers and autumn colour

Planting Instructions

Plant promptly after delivery into a prepared garden position or a larger container.

Choose an open location receiving full sun and allowing adequate room for the tree’s mature height and spread. Strong sunlight encourages compact growth, autumn colour and abundant flowering.

Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself.

Carefully remove the young plant from its 75mm nursery pot while minimising disturbance to the roots. Position it with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil.

Backfill gently, firm the soil lightly and water thoroughly. Apply mulch around the planting area to help conserve moisture, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Stake only when required for stability. Remove or loosen ties as the tree establishes to prevent damage to the developing trunk.

Care Instructions

Position

Grow Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’ in full sun.

A position receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily will generally produce the strongest flowering and best growth. Excessive shade can result in fewer flowers, softer growth and reduced autumn colour.

Allow adequate clearance from buildings, fences, overhead lines and other trees.

Soil

Plant in fertile, free-draining soil.

‘Sioux’ adapts to a range of soil types, including improved sandy, loamy and clay soils, provided excess water can drain away.

Heavy or compacted soil should be improved before planting. Avoid low-lying positions that remain continually wet.

Watering

Water regularly while the young 75mm plant establishes.

Deep watering encourages roots to develop into the surrounding soil. Allow the upper soil surface to begin drying between applications without allowing a newly planted tree to dry out completely.

Once established, ‘Sioux’ has good drought tolerance, although occasional deep watering during prolonged hot or dry weather will help maintain growth and flowering.

Container-grown plants require more frequent watering.

Feeding

Apply a balanced controlled-release fertiliser during spring as active growth begins, following the product directions.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser, which can encourage soft leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Mulching with composted organic material can help improve the soil while conserving moisture.

Pruning

Crepe myrtles flower on the current season’s growth. Complete any necessary structural pruning during winter or early spring before vigorous new growth begins.

Remove:

• Dead, damaged or crossing branches

• Weak shoots growing towards the centre

• Unwanted growth around the base

• Low branches where additional trunk clearance is required

Avoid severe annual topping. Heavy cutting can produce weak, crowded shoots and spoil the tree’s natural form.

‘Sioux’ can be maintained as a multi-stemmed tree or gradually trained to a single trunk.

Powdery Mildew

‘Sioux’ was selected for improved resistance to powdery mildew, but resistance does not mean complete immunity.

Provide full sun and good airflow around the canopy. Avoid overcrowding and prolonged overhead watering, particularly during humid weather.

Hot and Dry Conditions

Established trees tolerate heat and periods of dry weather well.

Newly planted 75mm stock has a small root system and requires regular watering during hot, dry or windy conditions. Mulch can help protect the developing roots from rapid moisture loss.

Frost and Dormancy

Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’ is deciduous and naturally loses its leaves during cooler weather.

Established trees tolerate seasonal frost, but young plants in small pots are more vulnerable. Protect newly planted stock from severe frost and cold, drying winds until established.

A leafless plant supplied during winter is generally dormant rather than dead.

Growing in Containers

Young plants can be grown in a large container with generous drainage holes and a quality, free-draining potting mix.

Because ‘Sioux’ develops into a substantial small tree, it will require progressively larger containers, regular watering, feeding and occasional root management. Long-term planting in the ground generally provides the best growth.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica × L. fauriei ‘Sioux’
Cultivar: ‘Sioux’
Common Name: Sioux Crepe Myrtle
Range: Indian Summer® Crepe Myrtle
Family: Lythraceae
Plant Type: Deciduous small tree or large shrub
Supply Format: Young live plant in a 75mm nursery pot
Flower Colour: Medium pink, musk pink to rich pink
Flowering Period: Summer to early autumn under suitable conditions
Mature Height: Approximately 4–6m; potentially larger under favourable conditions
Mature Spread: Approximately 3–4m
Growth Habit: Upright, narrow and vase-shaped, becoming broader with age
Foliage: Green during the growing season
Autumn Colour: Red, maroon, orange and yellow tones
Bark: Smooth and exfoliating with mottled grey, tan and caramel-pink tones
Position: Full sun
Soil: Fertile and free-draining
Water Needs: Regular during establishment; lower once established
Growth Rate: Moderate
Drought Tolerance: Good once established
Frost Tolerance: Frost tolerant once established
End Use: Feature tree, flowering display, streetscape, courtyard and garden planting

Important Information

• The correct botanical name is Lagerstroemia indica × L. fauriei ‘Sioux’

• The supplied product is a young plant growing in a 75mm nursery pot

• The 75mm measurement refers to the pot size—not the plant’s height

• The supplied plant will be considerably smaller than the mature trees shown

• Plants may be trimmed before dispatch to support safe packing and healthy branching

• The plant may not be flowering when supplied

• Deciduous plants may arrive with few or no leaves during dormancy

• Plant height, branching and foliage will vary naturally

• Mature size depends on climate, soil, position, pruning and care

• Flower colour may range from medium pink to musk or hot pink

• Autumn colour varies according to climate and seasonal conditions

• Improved mildew resistance does not guarantee complete freedom from disease

• Example images show mature trees and flowers only

• Wear gloves when handling and wash hands afterwards

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’ supplied?

It is supplied as a young live plant growing in a 75mm nursery pot. It will be considerably smaller than the mature tree shown in example photographs.

Is ‘Sioux’ a pure Lagerstroemia indica cultivar?

No. ‘Sioux’ is a hybrid between Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei. This hybrid background contributes to its ornamental bark and improved powdery mildew resistance.

What colour are the flowers?

The flowers are generally medium to rich pink. Depending on light, climate and flower maturity, they may appear musk pink or hot pink.

How large does Lagerstroemia ‘Sioux’ grow?

It generally reaches approximately 4–6m high and 3–4m wide. Older specimens may become larger under favourable conditions, while regular selective pruning can maintain a smaller form.

Is ‘Sioux’ suitable for a smaller garden?

Yes, provided sufficient room is available for its mature height and spread. Its relatively upright and narrow habit makes it useful where a broad-spreading shade tree would become too large.

Does it lose its leaves during winter?

Yes. ‘Sioux’ is deciduous and normally loses its leaves during autumn and winter. Leafless plants supplied during the cooler months may simply be dormant.

Does it require full sun?

Yes. Full sun encourages the strongest flowering, compact growth and autumn foliage colour. Excessive shade may reduce flowering.

Is it resistant to powdery mildew?

‘Sioux’ has improved powdery mildew resistance compared with many older crepe myrtles, but it is not completely immune. Full sun, good airflow and appropriate watering remain important.

Can it tolerate drought?

Established trees have good drought tolerance. Young plants supplied in 75mm pots must be watered regularly while their root systems develop.

When should it be pruned?

Complete structural pruning during winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove damaged, crossing or poorly positioned branches and avoid severe annual topping.