What is the difference between crepe myrtle and crape myrtle?
Facts: Lagerstroemia Common: Crape Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle. The traditional Southern spelling is "Crepe" Myrtle because the delicate flowers resemble crepe paper. Characteristics: Crape myrtles are small trees or shrubs with multi-season interest.
How do you tell the difference between a crepe myrtle and a tree?
Crape Myrtle Bush Vs. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.
Do crepe myrtles keep their leaves all year?
Crape Myrtles lose all their leaves in winter, and they go into a state of dormancy until spring. Like a bear hibernating for the winter, your Crape Myrtle will use this time to store its energy before it releafs when the weather warms up. Winter is the best time to prune your Crape Myrtle because the plant is dormant.
Is crape myrtle a tree or bush?
Crape Myrtles are TREES and that means they grow TALL from 20 – 40' in height. They have been lovingly referred to as the Lilac of the South (with no fragrance) with a very long bloom time in the summer.
What month do crepe myrtles bloom?
Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety. You may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well.
How do I identify a crepe myrtle?
Leaves: Crape myrtles have bright fall colors, considered very attractive and decorative. They have dark green leaves, with a red fringe upon opening. In the fall the leaves turn red, yellow, or orange. Leaf type is simple, shape is oval and venation is pinnate.
Do crepe myrtles look dead in winter?
Crape myrtles have a dormant period every winter. During the dormant stage crapes will lose all their leaves and look like dead. Don't worry, just like a bear sleeps for the winter, your crape myrtles are still sleeping . Crapes do not start leafing out until temperature are consistently the 80s.
What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?
around 25 yearsCrepe myrtles have a lifespan of around 25 years. However, some crepe myrtles have been known to live for 100 years or more! This tree does best in full sun and well-drained soil.
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won't grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you'll encourage way more blooms to appear.
Are crepe myrtle trees messy?
The Crepe Myrtle is a great addition to any yard. It is easy to care for, drought resistant, cold resistant and deer resistant. It is not a messy tree, provides shade, and is beautiful during all seasons of the year.
Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?
Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA, in any soil type. The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it's fine.
How old does a crepe myrtle have to be to bloom?
Your crepe myrtle may not be blooming if it is only a young tree – it can take 3-5 years for a tree to become established enough to flower. This may sound like a long time, but bear in mind that the trees take 5-10 years to mature, and 20-50 years to reach their ultimate size.
What colors are crepe myrtle trees?
It is, however, the mass of summer blooms, which makes Crape Myrtle worth growing. They range in colors from white, pink, lavender, and purple to almost brilliant red. If it's white you like, ask for Natchez. Catawba produces a deep purple and for a hot pink choose the Pink Velour.
How many types of crepe myrtle trees are there?
Although there are around 50 species in the group, only a very few are grown in gardens or have been used to develop the beautiful modern forms we grow today. Wild Crape Myrtles usually grow in warm or tropical regions as shrubs or trees.
Are there different types of crepe myrtles?
Crepe‑myr...Pride of IndiaLagerstroe... floribundaLagerstroe... subcostataLagerstroe... loudoniiLagerstroe... langkawie...Crepe myrtle/Lower classifications
What does myrtle look like?
Myrtus communis (true myrtle), of the family Myrtaceae, is a fragrant, evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves and white, star-shaped flowers with long stamens, and, after their blooming, purple-black berries. It is native to Mediterranean Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.
What Do Crape Myrtles Look like?
Crape Myrtles are shrubs and small trees that usually develop several trunks, although they can be pruned to a single stem. Their first notable fea...
Crape Myrtles in The Garden and Landscape
The majority of people spend most of their time in the garden during summer. That is when we want to enjoy the fresh air, the warmth and the sunshi...
The History of Crape Myrtles
In 1790, shortly after the American Revolution, the French botanist André Michaux brought plants of Crape Myrtles to Charleston, South Carolina, th...
Important Species of Crape Myrtle
The plants that Michaux introduced and which formed the beginnings of the many varieties available today, belonged to the species Lagerstroemia ind...
Hybrid Groups of Crape Myrtles
Not content with the offerings of Nature, because of the problems of powdery mildew on these plants when grown in humid climates and to develop pla...
National Arboretum Crape Myrtles
The National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. has been involved for a long time in breeding many different ornamental plants, and in 1962 they turned...
Choosing The Right Crape Myrtles
Go for Disease Resistance: Older types of Crape Myrtles are prone to the disease Powdery Mildew and you may have been put off growing these plants...
Keeping Your Crape Myrtle Flowering All Summer Long
As new stems grow they will develop flower clusters at the end. These will be the first flowers to open and once they have finished flowering, seed...
How big are the flowers of a crape myrtle?
The flowers are about one inch across, but many are carried in each panicle, making a very dramatic effect. The petals are crinkled, like crepe-paper, which is the origin of the common name ‘Crape Myrtle’. A wide range of colors is available, in all shades from white to pink and red, as well as lilacs and purples.
What is a crape myrtle?
Crape Myrtles are shrubs and small trees that usually develop several trunks, although they can be pruned to a single stem. Their first notable feature is the bark, which is smooth and shows a variety of colors, ranging from grey to cinnamon and soft pink.
How tall does a Sioux crape myrtle grow?
The Sioux Crape Myrtle grows between 15 and 20 feet tall and has a narrow, upright form, making it ideal for smaller gardens. The blossoms are an attractive mid-pink – a softer color than many other Crape Myrtles and the fall colors are rich shades of deep red and purple. The bark is grey-brown in color. This plant has won several medals, including Florida Plant of the Year in 1998. As would be expected it has shown good mildew resistance in trials.
What is a catawba crape myrtle?
The Catawba Crape Myrtle, a shorter form reaching between 8 and 10 feet in height and covered all summer in flowers of a gorgeous rich purple color. It also has fall leaves in powerful orange and red tones and especially attractive grey-brown bark in winter. Additionally, It is resistant to powdery mildew and always has clean, glossy leaves. Because of its shorter height and dense growth it makes an excellent screening or informal hedge plant. This was one of Dr Egolf’s early plants which is still one of the best. It was introduced in 1967.
How tall is an arapaho crape myrtle?
The Arapaho Crape Myrtle is a tall variety reaching around 20 feet with red flowers that are a true red, not just a dark pink. This tree has excellent resistant to powdery mildew. Its taller size makes it a great choice for background planting or for a specimen in your lawn. Although bred in 1989 this tree was not officially released until 2003, so it is still relatively uncommon in gardens.
What is a row of rocket crape myrtles?
A row of Red Rocket Crape Myrtles creates an excellent privacy screen.
What is the name of the plant that Michaux introduced?
The plants that Michaux introduced and which formed the beginnings of the many varieties available today, belonged to the species Lagerstroemia indica , which grows naturally in China, Korea, Japan and India. It is usually called the Common Crape Myrtle. In the wild this plant grows into a multi-stemmed tree that is perhaps 20 feet tall. The leaves are small, oval in shape and dark green. In fall the foliage turns spectacular shades of yellow, orange and red before falling, leaving bare branches that are attractively mottled with multi-colored bark in shades of pink, cream and gray. The flowers of the wild plants are usually rosy-red to red in color.
What color do crape myrtles turn?
New leaf growth in spring turns the bushy plants a rich red color. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop.
How tall does a Crape Myrtle grow?
Considering crape myrtle’s growth rate can help to decide on the ideal cultivar for your backyard. For example, say you require a small to medium-sized flowering shrub for your garden. It would be best to choose a Lagerstroemia indica cultivar with a mature height of 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m). Any larger crape myrtle plant will mean that you have to prune the plant regularly to control its height.
How Much Sunshine Do Crape Myrtles Need?
Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. The length of blooming depends on the amount of sun the crape myrtles receive. Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers.
What type of soil do crape myrtles like?
Crape myrtles thrive in most types of soil as long as the ground drains well. You can plant these shrubs and trees in loamy, sandy, or clay soil. Some organic matter worked into the ground helps to retain moisture and provide nutrients for healthy growth.
What is the most colorful shrub?
Crape myrtles are some of the most colorful shrubs and trees you can plant in warm climates. The large bushy shrubs produce flowers in vibrant shades of pink, lilac, red, and purple. However, some species also have white flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors.
What is a crape myrtle?
Crape myrtles are large shrubs or small trees with multiple stems and a rounded, bushy crown. Large flower clusters that bloom during summer are the plant’s most outstanding feature. Crape myrtles have smooth peeling bark in a range of colors including, gray, cinnamon, light tan, and soft pink.
What is the best crape myrtle shrub for borders?
Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’).
What color are the leaves on a crape myrtle?
The appealing leaves on crape myrtle shrubs are dark green in summer before turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall. The small deciduous, oval leaves measure up to 2” or 3” (5 – 7.5 cm) long and have rounded ends. Crape myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing arrangement and grow oppositely on stems.
How tall is a crape myrtle?
Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes. Some crape myrtle trees can grow up to 35 ft. (10 m) high.
What is Crape Myrtle Bush?
Crape myrtle bushes are fast-growing, small to medium-sized deciduous shrubs with multiple stems. Crape myrtles have a relatively compact growth habit with a spreading, vase-like shape and flat-topped growth. The attractive features of crape myrtle bushes are their flowers with crepe-like petals, orange or red fall foliage, and interesting pinkish-gray, mottled, peeling bark.
How much sun does a crape myrtle need?
Crape myrtle bushes need at least six hours of sunshine daily to bloom profusely. These shrubs can grow in partial shade; however, you’ll notice that they produce fewer flower clusters.
What is the difference between a crape myrtle and a crape myrtle tree?
Crape Myrtle Tree. Crape myrtle bushes are smaller than trees and have multiple stems. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush.
What is the best hedge for grape myrtle?
The best varieties for growing a grape myrtle hedge are Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tonto,’ and Lagerstroemia indica ‘Mo num.’
What is the name of the small shrub that produces crepe-like flowers that are a deep pink-purple?
Another small crape myrtle bush is the Petite Orchid cultivar. The dwarf shrub produces crepe-like flowers that are a deep pink-purple color. Its fast growth and short stature make the Lagerstroemia petite orchid shrub best for planting at the front of the house, along borders, in rock gardens, or in containers.
What is a crepe myrtle?
Image by TransientEternal. Crepe myrtles ( Lagerstroemia indica) are small trees with abundant, showy blossoms. But the lush green leaves help make this a favorite in gardens and landscapes in the southern United States.
Why are my crepe myrtles yellow?
Other cultural problems that cause yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle include inadequate sunshine and too little water. If the soil doesn’t drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves. Printer Friendly Version.
What to do if your crepe myrtle has bacterial leaf scorch?
If your crepe myrtle has bacterial leaf scorch, remove the tree. You should burn it or otherwise dispose of it to prevent the spread of this fatal disease to healthy plants.
Why are my leaves turning yellow in spring?
If the spring was very rainy and the leaves turn yellow or orange and fall, this is likely the issue. There is no real point in trying fungicides against this type of leaf spot since they are not very effective. Your best bet is planting the trees in sunny spots where air circulates freely.
Is it bad to see my crepe myrtle leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing crepe myrt le leaves are never a very good sign. You’re used to gorgeous dark foliage, exfoliating bark and abundant blossoms on this usually trouble-free tree, so it’s alarming to see leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow.
Why do crepe myrtles turn black?
Extreme hot weather with the sudden rise of temperature evaporates all moisture from the leaf surface. The leaf of the plant first becomes brown. But as the moisture loss continues the leaves of the crepe myrtle start to become black.
What is the fungus that attacks crepe myrtles?
Sooty mold is a fungus that attacks the crepe myrtle trees a lot. It turns the leaves of the crepe myrtles black. This fungus is mainly brought by insects like aphids, bark scales, whiteflies, and mealybugs.
What is the best fungicide for crepe myrtles?
Treat your crepe myrtles with the best and safest fungicide (Our Pick: Bonide Copper Fungicide). Always follow the label directions written on the fungicide.
How to protect crepe myrtles from heat?
There isn’t much to do in this situation. During the heatwaves give some shade to your crepe myrtles. Protect them from continuous harsh sunlight during this time. Provide them with some extra moisture depending on the hotness of the weather.
What makes a leaf look oily?
Aphids and whiteflies are very tiny and hard to notice. But the honeydew will make the leaf look oily and sticky. You will also notice ants trailing over the leaves to get sugar from honeydew.
Why are my sage leaves turning black?
As a result, the plant cannot absorb enough sunlight and they cannot photosynthesize very well. The lack of sunlight causes the leaves to turn black.
Do crepe myrtles have black leaves?
Do not forget to protect your crepe myrtles from insects on a regular basis. Otherwise, this black leaf problem will keep occurring. But the good thing is this problem is easily curable.
When do crepe myrtles bloom?
Just look around your neighborhood. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid- August.
How to get rid of mold on crepe myrtle?
Control these insects by blasting them of with water or by spraying with horticultural oil, azadirachtin (Neem), malathion, or acephate (Orthene). Spray your crepe myrtle according to label directions with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Ins ect Control. All of these are safe, natural products available at home and garden centers. Without the insects and their honeydew, sooty mold will gradually wash away.
What to spray on crepe myrtle?
Spray your crepe myrtle according to label directions with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Insect Control. All of these are safe, natural products available at home and garden centers. Without the insects and their honeydew, sooty mold will gradually wash away.
What are the white spots on my flower?
White powdery spots appear on leaves, stems, and flowers. The spots expand to completely cover leaves in only a few weeks. If the fungus spreads to flower buds, the buds may not open.
Why are my leaves green?
Underneath, the leaves are green and healthy. Sooty molds are also called black molds. These unsightly molds are caused by several species of fungi. More than one sooty mold fungus may appear on the same plant at the same time, feeding on the honeydew of numerous insects.
Does Grumpy know what plants are resistant to leaf spot?
Some websites claim certain selections are resistant, such as ‘Apalachee,' ‘Catawba,' ‘Sioux,' ‘Tonto,' ‘Tuscarora,' ‘Tuskegee,' and ‘Yuma.'.
Can deer eat crepe myrtles?
Crepe myrtles are not usually browsed by deer.
