You might also consider some of the viburnums. The foliage was crumbled in the mail. Ask your nurseryman for an appropriate fungicide if the disease seems to be affecting the growth of the tree. Powdery mildew has recently affected crape myrtles, especially older varieties that have little resistance to this fungal disease. Powdery mildew causes white or grayish spots on the upper leaf surface, and these spots may expand and merge.
Stricken foliage turns yellowish green to brown.
New foliage may be stunted or distorted. A plant often continues in otherwise good order, but in some severe cases it may decline. Gardeners are wondering whether to use a fungicide spray or leave things alone since powdery mildew usually becomes less of a problem as summer wears on. The key to a full head of blooms is an abundance of sun and good air circulation. These conditions also discourage powdery mildew.