Q: I bought what I thought was an immature lipan crape myrtle (about 3 feet tall) and planted it in April, when it didn’t have any blooms. Last month, I noticed white blooms on a few branches. I was shocked, given the time of year and the fact that the blooms are supposed to be lavender. Could this still be a Lipan, or is a tag/label mix-up the likely explanation?
A: The University of Florida has no specific information about this cultivar, although we have done extensive research on crape myrtle. I looked this cultivar up on the internet and according to the U. S. National Arboretum, Lagerstroemia indica X fauriei ‘Lipan’ produces lavender flowers with white to beige bark, so your tree may have been incorrectly labeled. Its height range is 13 to 20 feet and blooms mid-July through September. This particular variety is also resistant to powdery mildew. You may want to call the nursery where you purchased the shrub to discuss your options.

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