In the tropics and warm subtropics of zones 10 and 11, Lagerstroemia speciosa does what crape myrtles in temperate gardens can only suggest. The flowers are large, bold pink fading toward light purple, borne on a tree that claims genuine stature in the landscape, reaching 60 feet in favorable conditions. It is called the Queen's Crape Myrtle for reasons that make themselves apparent when it is in full bloom, presiding over gardens with an authority that smaller cultivars cannot match.

Alkaline soils are its main weakness, prompting leaf yellowing that no amount of care will fully correct; acid to neutral, well-drained ground suits it best. Aphids and scale make occasional appearances, and powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot are worth watching for in humid conditions. These are manageable concerns for a tree that, given the right climate and soil, delivers a summer flowering display on a genuinely grand scale.