The Beautiful Pocomoke Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle ‘Pocomoke’ at Behnke’s
For many years I have admired this beautiful Crape Myrtle at the nursery called ‘Pocomoke.’ (Speaking of Pocomoke, did you know we have a Pocomoke, I mean Pokemon, Gym right near this Crape Myrtle?) Anyway, John Reed (look for the man in the ten gallon hat in our Woody Plants Department) told me a few years ago that it was a very slow grower and had been located by the gazebo for quite awhile, perhaps as long as twenty years. When my husband and I decided to make a garden along the fence at our home, this was one of the first plants I bought. The first Spring I had to stop my husband from pulling it out when he thought it was dead. It was just a late bloomer, I said. The second Spring, we had the same talk and once again I was correct. Each year it got a little larger and once August arrived, I would be proven right, again! This year however, even I had my doubts, so many dead-looking branches that I was concerned. I would go to Behnke’s and walk by the one there and make sure it looked the same, but I still worried since we live an hour northwest of Beltsville. Slowly, I started seeing signs of life with little green leaves appearing all over, and then flower buds.. .finally, this week she is in her glory.
I snapped a few photos but I have to say they do not do it justice. The color and shape are just what I was looking for when we planned this garden. I have a few mistakes that I am just going to have to live with, but my Pocomoke has become my pride and joy!
Crape Myrtle ‘Pocomoke’ at my house
I have been a long time admirer of Crape Myrtles and while I love this one, with our whole back yard to plant (we took out our production greenhouses a little while ago), I need to decide if I want some Crape Myrtles that are trees or keep with bush varieties. I keep seeing this absolutely gorgeous bush type with deep bronze/red foliage and purple blooms. The variety is called ‘Black Diamond Purely Purple.’ I’m thinking I might just start with that one. I just need to convince my husband that we really need some more landscaping in our backyard.
by Stephanie Fleming, Behnke’s Vice President
When I first moved to Maryland from a more northern clime, I wondered what all these large bushes were that looked like late blooming lilacs. I enjoyed your article on the Pokomoke Crape Myrtle and might try the other variety you also mention at the end. My first Crape Myrtle met an early end because I thought it was dead and pulled it out. Then I later realized that these were really late at leafing out and now I leave them alone.
Hi Alice!
Thanks for sharing. I am finding that I am not the only one that has thought they lost their crape myrtle. Our staff has been really great in explaining to new owners what to expect in the Spring. Take care,, Stephanie