The Razzle Dazzle® dwarf crapemyrtles are an exciting series of crapemyrtles developed by world-renowned horticulturist and breeder, Dr. Michael A. Dirr. As the first series within the Gardener’s Confidence® Collection, the Razzle Dazzle® dwarf crapemyrtles have been developed with the trustworthy attributes of easy care and mildew resistance, as well as exceptional color and compact habit.
The crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.), native to SE Asia, is a widely popular woody ornamental flowering shrub/small tree throughout southeastern US landscapes appreciated for its profusion of showy blooms and their ability to withstand oppressive summer heat and humidity in full sun gardens. The rather obscure and perhaps nearly extinct L. fauriei, found only in the island of Yakushima, Japan has brought the most significant developments in the breeding of modern ornamental Lagerstroemia cultivars, contributing mainly with powdery mildew resistance, cold hardiness and handsome bark. This tree commonly exceeds a 33ft (10 m) height, with beautiful, exfoliating, dark red-brown bark in its stems.
Breeding programs in USA and Europe have generated, in the last three decades, a wide range of plant sizes (from miniature shrubs to tall trees), growth habits (broad, upright, weeping, etc.), cold hardiness (Zones 6-10), disease resistance (powdery mildew) and a wide range of bark characteristics, flower color and fall foliage coloration. Extensive breeding research through the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC, lead by Dr. Donald Egolf, developed true genetic dwarfs 'Chickasaw' and 'Pocomoke'.
For the Razzle Dazzle® Dwarf Crapemyrtles, Dr. Michael A. Dirr derived much of his work at the University of Georgia, Athens, from a broad spectrum of USNA germplasms. Working for over 30 years, Dr. Dirr has bred cultivars that are highly desirable in their dwarf habit, spectrum of flower color, deep foliage color, bloom time, and disease resistance.
Although crapemyrtles are a staple in the Southeast United States, they are becoming increasingly common in the Northern areas such as St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and on Long Island. The eye-catching shrubs continue to enhance landscapes allowing gardeners everywhere to relish in their pure beauty.
