Tuscarora Crape Myrtle Plant – Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Tuscarora’ (Coral-Pink Flowering Tree, Live Starter Plant)

The Tuscarora Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Tuscarora’) is a four-season showstopper. From mid-summer into early fall it covers itself in large, crepe-papery clusters of warm coral-pink flowers; in autumn the glossy green leaves turn brilliant orange-red; and in winter its smooth, cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark takes center stage. A fast-growing, multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub, the Tuscarora Crape Myrtle is one of the National Arboretum’s celebrated mildew-resistant hybrids — making it as tough and reliable as it is beautiful.

Why Grow a Tuscarora Crape Myrtle?

• Bold coral-pink summer blooms – big, crepe-papery flower clusters from mid-summer to early fall, right when many trees have finished.
• Four-season interest – summer flowers, orange-red fall foliage, and striking cinnamon exfoliating bark for winter.
• Mildew-resistant – a National Arboretum indica × fauriei hybrid bred for strong resistance to powdery mildew.
• Pollinator-friendly & pet-safe – the blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds, and the plant is non-toxic to dogs and cats.
• Tough & easy – fast-growing, drought-tolerant once established, and generally left alone by deer.

Looking for more flowering color? Browse our Flowering Plants and Trees collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei ‘Tuscarora’
• Plant type: Deciduous flowering small tree or large shrub (multi-stemmed)
• Plant family: Lythraceae (the loosestrife family)
• Mature size: about 15–20 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide, in a vase shape (can reach larger in ideal conditions)
• Flowers: Large, crepe-papery, coral-pink clusters from mid-summer into early fall
• Foliage & bark: Glossy green leaves turning orange-red in fall; smooth, cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark
• Notable traits: Mildew-resistant, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, pet-safe
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 7–10 (roots are hardier; top growth is reliably hardy in zone 7 and up)

Tuscarora Crape Myrtle Care & Growing Guide

Crape myrtles are easy to grow in the right spot. Follow these guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun — at least six hours of direct sun a day for the best bloom and fall color.
• Water: Water deeply and regularly for the first couple of years to establish a strong root system, and more often in extreme heat. Once mature, it’s drought-tolerant and needs only occasional deep watering.
• Soil: Adapts to most well-drained soils and prefers slightly acidic conditions (about pH 5.0–6.5). Avoid soggy ground.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 7–10. In colder areas, plant in a sheltered spot and mulch the roots; top growth may suffer in unusually harsh winters.
• Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring before new growth, only to remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid heavy topping (“crape murder”) — it spoils the natural form.

Ways to Use Tuscarora Crape Myrtle in the Landscape

• Flowering specimen or focal-point tree for front yards and lawn islands
• Coral-pink color near patios, entries, and along driveways
• Row or cluster plantings for a summer-blooming privacy screen
• Anchor for mixed borders and pollinator gardens
• Street-tree-style accents where a manageable size is needed

It pairs beautifully with other sun-loving, colorful plants. Gardeners often combine it with the true-red Red Rocket Crape Myrtle, the bird-friendly Red Cluster Bottlebrush, or the bright Scarlet Sage.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Tuscarora Crape Myrtle starter plants grown and shipped by Carlos Plant Farm. Plants are less than 12 inches tall when we ship them. The photos in this listing depict mature plants of the correct species so you can see how they will look as they grow and bloom. Choose your preferred plant bundle size using the options above.

Due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees in order to comply with those laws if necessary.

Terms of the Sale

Please read the following terms of the sale completely. The customer agrees to all of the following when purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm:

• All sales are final. All orders are insured against damage or loss.
• The customer assumes all risk of loss or damage once USPS takes possession. If the order is damaged in any way during shipping, the customer agrees to file an insurance claim. Carlo’s Plant Farm agrees to assist the customer in filling out the form.
• Once your order is shipped, we offer no cancellation refund at all.
• We reserve the right to delay shipping due to extreme heat or cold.
• If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, you agree to contact us as soon as possible. The customer agrees not to publish a negative review before contacting us. If you post a negative review before contacting us, we will ask you to take down the review and remind you of this terms of sale agreement.

In purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm, the customer acknowledges, understands, and agrees with all the above terms of the sale.