Crape myrtle Natchez
Lagerstroemia x Natchez
Lythraceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Data Coverage 3 of 6 dimensions
Quick Facts
Height
20-30 ft
Spread
15-25 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Well Drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 7a–9b
Bloom Time
July-September
Origin
Hybrid of Asian species, bred at U.S. National Arboretum
Phenological Calendar
As of April 20, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1373.1 to 1531.6 GDD₃₂. Crape myrtle Natchez typically reaches beginning of flowering at 6303 GDD₃₂, predicted around Oct 5.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 20, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,532 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,771 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,493 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,810 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,472 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,831 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,444 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,859 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,417 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,886 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,411 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,892 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,373 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 4,930 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 NEXT | 6303 | — est. Oct 5 (avg) |
| Full bloom BBCH 65 | 7328 | — |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 20, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 6, 2026, then climate normals.