November 2008 Update Our Crapemyrtles are entering dormancy, so we're suspending sales until Spring 2009. Just because we are in the off season doesn't mean you can't dream and plan! Visit our Varieties page for a sampling of what we offer. Let us know if there's a variety you want and we'll do our best to have it in our next production. Please contact us with any questions, including those regarding availability. If you like, send us an email and we'll let you know when shipping resumes in the spring. |
Chadick Farms - where the house is always a wreck,
but the gardens look great!
Crapemyrtle Craziness
Hi, my name is Shirlene and I'm a gardener.
My gardening obsession has spanned a few decades, and over the years I've killed thousands of dollars worth of plants. Only the hardiest of the hardy survive the lethal combination of Texas summer heat and my hit-or-miss care regimen. Of those survivors, miniature and dwarf Crapemyrtles are my absolute favorites.
I first learned of miniature Crapemyrtles when my Mom decided she wanted these plants for a little color in her front flowerbeds. As I planted dozens of Crapemyrtle babies I also calculated how quickly they would succumb, being as my Mom and I share similar gardening habits. To my amazement, not only did those little Crapemyrtles survive their first summer, they came back again the following spring, more lush and prettier than ever. Like that 1950's wristwatch commercial said, they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. I was hooked!
This Crapemyrtle infatuation gradually became my business, Chadick Farms, when I realized I could grow and share these little darlings for the enjoyment of everyone. Chadick Farms is a very small company, but you'll love us for our great plants, helpful attitude and friendly service.
Toughness and beauty are why Crapemyrtles are considered to be THE flowering tree of the South. The nicest thing about Crapemyrtles is that there are so many varieties - from tiny to gigantic, from white to purple to red. Every gardener on your street could plant their favorite Crapemyrtles and you might not see one variety duplicated.
At Chadick Farms we love the small Crapemyrtles. Miniature and dwarf Crapemyrtles offer the same beauty as the big ones, they're just sweeter, more delightful... maybe you agree.
What are Miniature and Dwarf Crapemyrtles?
At maturity, miniature Crapemyrtles are under 3', dwarf Crapemyrtles are 3' to 5' and semi-dwarf Crapemyrtles are 5' to 10'. Miniatures are gorgeous as groundcover or in hanging baskets, dwarf and semi-dwarf are stunning in containers, and they all are breathtaking specimens in your landscape.
Miniature and dwarf Crapemyrtles continue the care-free tradition of their larger brethren. The side-shoots that are a natural growth pattern in all shrubs are welcomed in the miniature and dwarf varieties. Miniature and dwarf Crapemyrtles are bred for increased branching, which increases bloom quantities. Chadick Farms' miniature and dwarf Crapemyrtles become more beautiful with each passing year.
About Crapemyrtle Flower Colors
Everyone wants a red Crapemyrtle, and while breeders are working to produce different colors, currently there are only a few that are close to a real red, such as Tightwad Red®, Victor and Dynamite®.
At Chadick Farms, sometimes we are surprised at the difference between the flower colors in horticultural descriptions and what we see when our own plants bloom. In the plant descriptions on our Varieties pages, we tell you what color(s) we see in our gardens in addition to the published horticultural description. Since flower color can vary somewhat depending on soil chemistry, you should expect some shade differences in your own plants' blooms.
In addition, it's impossible to accurately depict flower colors with an online photograph. The combination of blossom shade and color variations, and thousands of different computer monitor settings makes displaying a precisely-tinted photo an unattainable goal. We make every effort to give you accurate photos and color descriptions, but please remember that this description is based on our opinion.
Crapemyrtle Advantage
Have a sunny corner that needs a splash of color? Looking for a water-wise specimen plant for a prominent area of your landscape? Whether you want a demure pastel or an electric jolt of color, there's a Crapemyrtle for you!
Crapemyrtles flourish under brutally hot conditions and endure neglect as they explode with color. They are extremely sturdy, exceptionally drought-tolerant and intoxicatingly beautiful. Crapemyrtles are adapted to poor soil and don’t need much care once they're established – just a light application of fertilizer in the spring and a sip of water during extended dry spells. They are also nearly maintenance-free - all that's needed is occasional gentle trimming. See our Questions & Answers page for more information.
Crapemyrtle flower colors include white, lavender, purple, light pink, hot pink, coral-pink, red, picotee (red or pink edged with white, pink edged with red), and some have the same color in several shades on one plant.
