Crape Myrtle's have changed color this year. Serious answers please!?

Several years ago I purchased eight RED Crape Myrtles and planted them. The first year they were too small to bloom. Last year all bloomed this brite red. The color was beautiful. This year three are blooming a brite pink/red color. The other five are brite red. Can anyone explain why this is happening and what I can do to make them all bloom red next year? Thanks for your help !

Crape Myrtle's have changed color this year. Serious answers please!?
"Q: Last year we planted six four-foot tall crape myrtles. They were originally a pretty fuchsia color but they have now faded to a very light pink, or white. I had no idea that they could change color like that. What can we do to bring back the original color purchased?


— Roy N., e-mail





A: There are several possible reasons why the flowers on crape myrtles may go from bold to cool. Some crape myrtle flowers emerge having a vivid color, but because of bright sunlight, or drought, the color usually fades to a light pink. Secondly, it is natural for the color of many crape myrtle flowers to fade as they age and until they fall from the plant. Take a look at the flowers on an inflorescence of your tree. The new flowers should be at the top of the flower spike. If there is a lighter hue of the same color on the inflorescence, then consider the difference a natural state of affairs. Finally, the grower may have inadvertently planted two varieties in a single pot and what you are now experiencing is the lighter flowering of the mixed varieties.


— Stephen Brown is a horticulture agent with the Lee County Extension Service."
Reply:Just read another question about this same thing. Hers went from red to white! I've also noticed it happening to crepe myrtles around here. One in particular, which I have admired for ten years, has both colors on it! Never seen anything like it before, and I've been gardening 40 years. Sorry, don't have an answer. But sure would like to understand this phenomenon. The soil pH can't have changed in such a large area. Though all who responded live in Texas, as do I. But these things are happening hundreds of miles apart.
Reply:Looks like you're one cross pollinated and changed to another color. Sometimes happens early on. I have a red that's done that.
Reply:sometime nursery graff plan to have variety color on one plant, are you sure your is not the one? changces are if you buy them you may get good color bloom. by the way, bloom do fade color if they are exposed to full hot sun. i have a pink crape- bloom pink in the morning but later in aftenoon they fade to lighter pinks
Reply:Try checking the acid and alkaline levels in your soil; you can get you a kit at your local lowe's or home depot and you can by plant soil to level things back out. at least this has been my experience with roses.