PLEASE DISREGARD THE "WANTED" ABOVE.
I found out that we (Vancouver Island) do not have the required heat for a Crape Myrtle to bloom as I saw in Florida. No wonder I never see any on the PNW coast. I will no longer wonder if we can grow them here. Until the next question.......chow

"USA hardiness zone 7 or 6b and southward. It is especially tolerant to heat and drought and flowers on new growth once temperatures reach a sustained day temperature of roughly 85+°F with long days. Once flowering is triggered to begin, on many cultivars flowering continues for 100 to 120 days or more."

Well I am starting some from seed. I'll try to let you now if it is true that they wont bloom. I have a HOT area on my property during summer. We'll see.

Kathy

WOW! FROM SEED you say!!! I can see I'll be waiting a few years to see if you can get one to bloom. But I'll be here if the island doesn't sink before then. I don't have a place for a continuous 85F temperature in the day, but if you do the flowering will be beautiful. I wonder what color you have.

I see you have a 5 acre Playground. Take lots of pictures so you can look back as it changes over the years. If I was younger I'd be envious and I'd be living between home and the nurseries, always looking for ideas. Hope the kids enjoy it too.......and just maybe you can entice your hubby into your new love. Have fun!

My Crape Mrytle blooms here in Seattle. I grew it from seed also, and it bloomed the second year. It is now 5 ft tall (6 yrs old)in a patio pot.
Keep them in full direct sun and water very sparingly.

Wow RikerBear......I guess I have to find some seeds. Do you bring it inside for protection in the winter? what color were you able to get? And what size of pot are they growing in?
I would like to find the dark pink color.

I have mine in a 1/2 whiskey barrel, and it has been since I first got it. It has never set seed or I'd offer you some, as it is the dark pink. I do not bring it in....in fact I don;t do anything to it at all. I never feed it, and barely water it. Seems to love neglect, which I am famous for. :-)
Hope you give one a try.

Van Isle Gal, I got some crepe myrtle seeds at the swap and would be happy to divvy them up. No noted color, though I think the picture on the seed pack is white, or palest pink.
Email me if you want to try some.

Riker Bear, good to have first hand information on successful growing from seed, and then the results from ensuing neglect: that, I can do!
Annie

thankyou Poochella
That is very nice of you to offer some seeds, but I think I'll leave you to grow them. I really prefer deeper colors by our all-white house.
But with all this response I may have to hunt for a bush (or seeds) to put in a pot and try that.....especially after RikerBear said it likes to be neglected.......I can certainly do that!

I am amazed at the response to this Crape Myrtle topic.
This is great! I now know where to go with any gardening questions.

Glad I could help. :-)