The U.S. National Arboretum presents Lagerstroemia 'Cheyenne', a dazzling 

crapemyrtle cultivar destined to set your summer garden afire! 'Cheyenne'

strikes a pleasing balance between the restraint of its rounded form and the audacious 

impact of its neon red flowers. Highlight your garden design with this exceptional 

hybrid!

Lagerstroemia 'Cheyenne'

U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. National Arboretum: www.ars-grin.gov/na/

XXXXXXX 2005 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia 'Cheyenne'

(NA 68973; PI 633035)

Family: Lythraceae

Hardiness: Reliably top hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 7b-9; root hardy to Zone 6

Development: In 1981, open-pollinated seed of Lagerstroemia limii was received from the 

Shanghai Botanic Garden, Peoples Republic of China. L. limii seedlings grown at the 

arboretum proved to be resistant to powdery mildew but exhibited none of the valued 

flower and bark characteristics of L. indica or L. fauriei. Hybridization of L. limii

with L. fauriei, L. indica, and L. (indica x fauriei) hybrids began in 1986 under the 

direction of Dr. Donald Egolf and continues to the present time. A seedling from the 

1990 hybridization was selected for evaluation in 1996, officially named 'Cheyenne', 

and released July 18, 2003. The cultivar name 'Cheyenne' was registered with the 

International Registration Authority for Cultivated Lagerstroemia and approved, 

August 23, 2003.

Significance: 'Cheyenne' is the second hybrid crapemyrtle cultivar to be derived from controlled 

hybridization of three species of Lagerstroemia: L. indica, L. fauriei, and L. limii. It 

represents another major breakthrough in crapemyrtle breeding efforts at the U.S. 

National Arboretum. The near true red flower color, rounded form and powdery 

mildew tolerance of 'Cheyenne' adds yet another dimension to the list of superior 

cultivars developed at the U.S. National Arboretum.

Description: Height and Width: 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide at 12 years.

Habit: Deciduous, dense, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub; bark exfoliates to reveal 

light reddish tan trunks.

Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves tinged with maroon are mildew tolerant under 

field conditions; fall color dark red to maroon.

Flowers: Panicles of vivid bright red flowers are produced from July to September 

in the Washington, DC, area. 

Fruit: Dark brown, woody capsule.

Culture: 'Cheyenne' grows and flowers best in full sun in a heavy loam to clay soil with a pH 

of 5.0-6.5. Will grow in partial shade though flowering will be reduced. Grows well in 

hot, difficult sites.

Propagation: Readily propagated by softwood, semi-hardwood, hardwood, or root cuttings. 

Softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings under mist, 1000-3000 ppm IBA, are the preferred methods. Hardwood cuttings can be rooted in cold frames in late fall and early 

winter.

Landscape Use: Specimen, avenue or mass planting in public parks or gardens, shrub border or informal hedge, or in highway beautification plantings.

Availability: Available at the wholesale level in 2003. Projected retail availability 2006. For 

source list of cooperating wholesale nurseries, contact Dr. Margaret Pooler, U.S. 

National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave., NE, Washington, DC, 20002.

'Cheyenne' Hybrid Crapemyrtle

U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

Visit us on the web: www.usna.usda.gov

March 2006 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.