crepe myrtle versus jacaranda

[sillyglue]

i'm leaning towards two smaller crepe myrtles over one large jacaranda simply because i feel like it'll be less messy (no sticky stuff falling from those pesky aphids on the jacaranda). any opinions? also, does anyone know how long the crepe myrtle blooms in climate zone 21? does it go completely dormant/bare in the winter or hang on to some of it's leaves? does anyone in this area (pasadena, ca or san gabriel valley) have pictures of it in winter? the only pics on the web are of it in full bloom. thanks for your help!