Lagerstroemia plant named ‘Baillagone’

#Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia hybrid.

#Variety denomination: ‘Baillagone’.

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemia of hybrid origin. The new Lagerstroemia will hereafter be referred to by its cultivar name, ‘Baillagone’. ‘Baillagone’ is a new cultivar of crape myrtle grown for use as an ornamental landscape plant.

#The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new ‘Baillagone’. The photographs were taken of a 4 year-old plant of ‘Baillagone’ as grown outdoors in full sun in Watkinsville, Ga.

#The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a side view of ‘Baillagone’ in bloom.

#The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of the flowers of ‘Baillagone’.

#The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized and the color values cited in the Detailed Botanical Description accurately describe the colors of the new Lagerstroemia.

#The following is a detailed description of 4 year-old plants of the new cultivar as grown outdoors in full sun in a trial garden in Watkinsville, Ga. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. General description: Blooming period.—June to September in Watkinsville, Ga., deadheading will result in re-bloom after 8 to 10 weeks. Plant type.—Deciduous flowering shrub. Plant habit.—Compact and upright of intermediate stature, finely textured and dense, freely branched without pruning. Height and spread.—An average of 1.76 m in height and 1.12 m in width. Cold hardiness.—At least in U.S.D.A. Zones 6 to 9. Diseases and pests.—Highly resistant to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe lagerstroemiae) and Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora lythracearum) has been observed. Root description.—156B in color, young roots are fibrous, older roots become woody. Root development.—An average of 6 weeks at 32° C. for root initiation and an average of 3 months at 32° C. to produce a young rooted plant. Propagation.—Semi-hardwood stem cuttings. Growth rate.—Vigorous. Branch description: Branch shape.—Tetragonal on first year growth and round on second year growth. Branch color.—First year; 60A in color, second year; 199C, trunk; 199C. Branch size.—Main branches: first year; 24 cm in length, 3 mm in diameter, second year; 45 cm in length, 5 mm in diameter, lateral branches: 50 to 95 cm in length, 1 cm in diameter, trunk; multi-branched and 1.5 cm in diameter at soil level. Branch surface.—Lateral branches moderately covered with coarse irregular lenticels 177C in color, trunk fine barked. Branch strength.—Young; flexible and strong, mature; easily broken. Branching.—Freely branching habit (without pruning), an average of 7 lateral branches. Branch aspect.—Held at angles ranging between 45° to 75°. Internode length.—An average of 1.5 cm. Vegetative buds.—Sub-opposite to alternate in arrangement, an average of 3 mm in length and 2 mm in width, conical in shape, surface imbricate and lacks pubescence, color 138B. Foliage description: Leaf shape.—Elliptic. Leaf division.—Single. Leaf base.—Cuneate. Leaf apex.—Acuminate. Leaf venation.—Pinnate, upper and lower surfaces 61B in color. Leaf margins.—Entire. Leaf arrangement—Sub-opposite to alternate. Leaf attachment.—Petiolate. Leaf surface.—Both surfaces glabrous and glossy. Leaf size.—An average of 3.5 cm in length and 2 cm in width. Leaf quantity.—An average of 84 per lateral branch. Leaf color.—Young upper surface; 59A, young lower surface; 184B, mature upper surface; NN137C, flushed with 59A, mature lower surface; N138C, flushed with 184B. Petiole.—Average of 1.5 mm in length and 1 mm in diameter, surface texture glabrous, 184A in color, strong. Flower description: Inflorescence type.—Terminal panicle. Lastingness of inflorescence.—Inflorescences are showy for an average of 2 weeks, individual flowers last an average of 1 day, self cleaning. Inflorescence size.—An average of 19 cm in height and 15 cm in width. Inflorescence number.—One per lateral branch. Flower number.—An average of 50 to 150 flowers and flower buds per inflorescence. Flower fragrance.—Faintly sweet scent. Flower buds.—Globose in shape, an average of 6 mm in length and depth, rounded apex, surface is glabrous with six distinct lines at petal margins, color; N144A with apex 60A. Flower aspect.—Upright to outward. Flower type.—Rotate. Flower size.—An average of 3 cm in height and 3 cm in diameter. Petals.—Typically 7, rotate in arrangement, fan-shaped, ruffled margins, sagittate base, ruffled and rounded apex, both surfaces glabrous, an average of 1 cm in length and width, color when opening and when fully open upper and lower surface; NN155D. Calyx.—Consists of 6 fused sepals, acute apices, an average of 8 mm in length and 1 cm in diameter, N144A in color on both surfaces, smooth and glabrous on both surfaces. Peduncles.—Strong, an average of 7 cm in length and 5 mm in diameter, 59A in color, surface is glabrous with no pubescence, strong. Pedicels.—Strong, an average of 8 mm in length and 1 mm in diameter, 59A in color, surface is glabrous with no pubescence, strong. Reproductive organs: Stamens.—25 to 30 short stamens clustered in the center, 1.5 mm in length surrounded by 6 longer stamens, 1 cm in length, glabrous surface, anthers; 7A in color, filaments; N155A in color, pollen; moderate in quantity and 7A in color. Pistils.—1, an average of 1.8 cm in length, style; an average of 1.5 cm in length and 39B in color, stigma; round, 1 mm in diameter and 45A in color, ovary; superior, 157A in color and 2 mm in diameter. Fruit and seed.—Capsule; 6-valved, dehiscent, broad ellipsoidal in shape, 7 mm in length and diameter, immature 144A in color, mature N200A in color, each capsule contains 30 seeds an average of 6 mm in length and 3 mm in width and 199B in color.