Do you love crape myrtles but hate the diseases associated with them? Meet the new and improved First Editions® Magic™ Crape Myrtle Series. These crape myrtles showcase new color combinations, compact size, and disease resistance.

The Midnight Magic™ Crape Myrtle is a new and improved variety of crape myrtle. The small size of these shrubs allows it to be used as a shrub or a tree. It is great to put in spaces that are too small for your average Crape Myrtle. The plum purple foliage is dark year round and dark pink flowers provide a great contrast. Not only is this shrub compact in size and stunning in color, is also resistant to leaf spot and powdery mildew!

Features: The Midnight Magic™ Crape Myrtle is small tree that only gets to 4-6’ high and wide. The foliage is a rich maroon color that stays prominent throughout the growing season, unlike regular crape myrtles that have green foliage. Dark pink flowers appear in July and bloom all the way to August, proving a great color contrast against the dark foliage. These trees can even combat the heat of the south while providing flowers that are saturated in color and never fade.

Crape Myrtle Tree Comparisons

Be sure you choose the right location and have the appropriate conditions for your new Midnight Magic Crape Myrtle to thrive. Luckily Crape Myrtles are pretty easy to grow and don't require much maintenance at all. If you follow growing zone guidelines for your particular variety you can plant your crape myrtle just about any time of year. Midnight Magic Crape Myrtles grow in zones 7-9. We do recommend to avoid planting when temperatures are above 85 degrees.

These trees prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade and are adaptable to just about any soil as long as it is well-draining. Crape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 or 6.5 being ideal, but as long as your soil isn't extremely alkaline there is no need to modify it. Mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of pine straw or pine bark is ideal for crape myrtles. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as these increases the chances of pests and disease. Mulching helps keep soil moist and protects roots during temperature extremes. Crape Myrtles should be watered deeply about 2 times per week after planting for about 3 months. After this establishment period, water deeply about once weekly when conditions are dry. Crape Myrtles are drought tolerant once established. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost and help it achieve the best blooms. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer. If you know your soil is on the basic side choose a fertilizer that is for acid loving plants. Crape Myrtles do not generally require pruning, but if needed, prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches. Avoid the need to over prune your tree by choosing a variety that fits best in your chosen spot. You can choose a variety that is only 5 feet tall up to varieties that grow over 30 feet tall. Midnight Magic Crape Myrtles grow up to 6 feet tall and wide.

The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering and fertilization are the keys to your success. There are not many pests or diseases that cause severe problems for crape myrtles. Aphids are one of the few pests that attack crape myrtles. Minor infections aren't likely to cause problems, but a severe infection can weaken your tree. You can treat aphids naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. The Magic series crape myrtles are extremely resistant to Powdery Mildew and other diseases.

The Magic series of Crape Myrtles will look great anywhere in your landscape.  The Midnight Magic is the smallest crape myrtle that we carry.  It will fit in even the smallest spaces and is lovely in large decorative pots.  The bold pink blooms and purple foliage are sure to brighten up your yard. The mature size of the Midnight variety is a mere 4-6 feet tall and wide so be mindful of this when choosing a spot for this tree-shrub. The Crapes in the Magic series look great as single specimens planted in your yard and provide a wonderful focal point for a bed or garden.  This variety tends to grow more like bush than a tree.  This Crape Myrtle will also look great framing your front door or the front entrance of your driveway or anchoring the corners of your home. Plant 1 on each side and watch your house turn into a home.  Another stellar look for these shrub-like crape myrtles is a grouped hedge or cluster.  You will love the color and beauty this will add to your yard.  Planting about 4 to 5 feet apart can even provide privacy in spring, summer and fall.  For cluster or group planting you can plant your Midnight Magics closer together but stagger so they still have room to grow.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Crape Myrtle and Dwarf tree collections.