Crape myrtle

One of the very best flowering shrubs anywhere, the crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica, hybridized with L. fauriei and/or L. speciosa) are in full force around north Texas right now. They range from white to pink to red to purple (no yellow or blue spectrum to speak of). Once highly susceptible to powdery mildew, more updated crape myrtle varieties have been developed which are resistant to disease. They are as ubiquitous here as the rhododendrons in Seattle or the azaleas in the South.