Susan, how about rhododendron or mountain laurel? (Can't grow those here, I don't think.) I don't know about crepe myrtles and Japanese beetles, but I never saw any on rhododendron or mountain laurel in Pennsylvania.
BTW, if this thread gets too long for anyone, let me know and I'll start a new one.
Iris that I got from someone at DG several years ago
purple trumpet vine
