While the angst of August heat wilts humans, the premiere flowering tree for the southeast stands poised in direct sun showing no clue to the sizzling temperatures. Sun- dressed in frilly ruffled flowers of white, pink, lavender or red, the crape myrtle takes to the heat regally.

Throughout Columbia crape myrtle trees have been planted in public and private space. Look in any direction to find them on school campuses, subdivision medians, fast food franchises, mall parking lots, cemeteries, parks, banks and auto sale lots.

Since crape myrtle cultivars come in a variety of heights, homeowners can select cultivars appropriate to their needs. Tall cultivars make good shade or specimen plants. Some varieties are best for hedges, screens and as patio plants. Most guarantee 100 days of continuous bloom.

The tree is attractive year- round. In fall, as flowers fade, leaves turn yellow, red and orange. A dark sixvalved seed capsule containing winged seeds decorates branch tips in winter. The smooth sinuous grey, brown, and cinnamon bark is a major landscape asset. Olympic athletes can't match the muscle tone of crape myrtle's bark.

As a specimen tree, crape myrtles deliver 100 days of blossom. The tree is easy to grow and once established requires minimal maintenance. A site with full sun, good air circulation, and well- prepared and well- drained soil is basic. Soil pH can range from acidic to slightly alkaline (5.0- 6.5). Newly planted trees require a two- year period of monitored watering until well-established. Subsequently, the plant will tolerate drought. Fertilizer is not recommended.

Pruning should be minimal. Prune only crossing, rubbing, dead or diseased branches and suckers at the trunk's base. Since proper pruning accentuates the natural growth habit, pollarding and stump- cutting are never appropriate practices for crape myrtle.

The wide selection of crape myrtle cultivars available today is the result of research conducted at the U.S. National Arboretum over the past 50 years. Crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia indica, are native to China and were first introduced in Charleston, S.C. in 1750. Lagerstroemia indica were sited throughout the south due to their beautiful and colorful flowers, but powdery mildew on the leaves was a major problem.

Most crape myr tles have muscular multiple trunks. The tree Lagerstroemia fauriei, from Japan, was brought to the U.S. in 1956. It was resistant to powdery mildew but only produced white flowers. Through a meticulous breeding program, scientists developed a whole series of cultivars resistant to mildew with a wide range of colors. The cultivars, named for Native American tribes like Natchez, Choctaw, Hopi, are available at most full service garden centers.

Propagating crape myrtles is easy to do from seed or softwood stem cuttings. Seed collected in winter can be sown in potting mix in January. Expect seedlings in 2- 3 weeks. Root stem cuttings should be done in early spring or summer.

For more information http://hgic.clemson.edu/fa ctsheets/HGIC1008.htm or www.usna.usda.gov/Photo- Gallery/Crapemyrtle- Gallery/index.html.

As flowers fade, decorative seed capsules emerge