Full Answer
How do I identify a crepe myrtle tree?
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.
Are there different types of crepe myrtle?
Crepe‑myr...Pride of IndiaLagerstroe... subcostataLagerstroe... floribundaLagerstroe... loudoniiLagerstroe... langkawie...Crepe myrtle/Lower classifications
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.
What does a Japanese crepe myrtle look like?
Japanese Crape Myrtle is a popular single or multi-trunk tree, used as a flowering or foliage accent. The hybrids of this species have darker brown trunks, and the flower clusters are much larger. It blooms best in full sun, with ample moisture. The branches do not droop and resist breakage.
Which is the most popular crepe myrtle?
Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.
Which crepe myrtle blooms longest?
lavender purple MuskogeeIf you are looking for the longest bloom time look to the lavender purple Muskogee or the white Natchez. You will enjoy flowers for months! The Muskogee is also one the few Crape Myrtles that is recommended into a zone 11. Howdy, hot states, this is the tree for you!
Do you cut back crepe myrtle bushes?
First of all, pruning crapemyrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow! If you need to prune your crapemyrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the crapemyrtle is the correct method.
Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
Unfortunately you must cut the tree completely to the ground, and don't be surprised when it grows back VERY quickly. The next winter, select three to five well-spaced trunks, and cut off any others at ground level.
When should crepe myrtles be trimmed?
February is a good time to prune crape myrtles. It should be done before fresh growth appears in March. Its toughness makes crape myrtle a popular plant.
Which crepe myrtle has prettiest bark?
Natchez Crape MyrtleNatchez Crape Myrtle This variety is also notable for its spectacular bark color in cinnamon brown, an unusual shade for Crape Myrtles and showy all year round.
What is a Japanese Myrtle?
Native to Japan, the Japanese Crape-Myrtle is a fast growing, deciduous tree that is very similar to the common Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica); however, it has smaller, white flowers and larger, dark green leaves.
Are crepe myrtles Japanese?
This species of Crepe Myrtle from Yakushima Island, Japan is tree-like, has white flowers and spectacular copper-colored bark. It is one of the parent species for the "Indian Tribe" hybrids (including the very popular 'Natchez') introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. This Crepe Myrtle is more cold hardy than L.
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.
How many types of myrtle are there?
As previously stated, Myrtus is the genus, but it has three different species, Myrtus Communis, Myrtus Phillyreifolia, and Myrtus Nivellei. Different cultures think myrtle flowers are essential as they have been used in their rituals, and they now have a substantial role in their traditions.
How many colors of crepe myrtle are there?
Foliage. In addition, crape myrtles produce glossy, green leaves that are 2-8 inches long. Many of these ovular leaves take on vibrant coloring, including yellow, orange, and red, in fall, while other varieties sprout young, red leaves that mature into green in summer.
What is the darkest purple crape myrtle?
Twilight Crape Myrtle treesTwilight Crape Myrtle trees grow larger than other species, as tall as 15-25 feet at maturity, with a spread of 10-15 feet. They stand out for their crinkly, deep-purple flowers—the deepest purple blooms of any crape myrtle tree.
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...
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 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.
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.
How tall do crape myrtles get?
The flower clusters at the top were from varieties growing to mature heights of less than 5 ft., while flowers at the bottom of the photo were from varieties that will grow to be 20 ft. tall and taller. No one will probably ever have a complete list of all the crape myrtle varieties. There are many cultivars/varieties that are identical ...
Is there a list of all the crape myrtle varieties?
No one will probably ever have a complete list of all the crape myrtle varieties. There are many cultivars/varieties that are identical to others with different names. Only gene testing could tell us the real facts. In other cases, there are variety names in historic nursery catalogs from decades past, but those varieties are apparently nowhere ...
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 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.
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.
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 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 are the colors of crape myrtles?
Wild crape myrtles from Southeast Asia have flower colors ranging from white to pale lavender to watermelon-pink. Gardeners have long sought crape myrtles with clearer and more intense flower colors, but true red flowers have always been elusive. Finally in 1997, after years of intense breeding, Dr.
How tall do crape myrtles grow?
Tree-size crape myrtles grow more than 12’ tall in ten years. Semi-dwarf crape myrtles grow between 4’ and 12’ tall in ten years, and dwarf crape myrtles generally stay shorter than 4’, at least during the first five years.
When did the first red crape myrtle come out?
Finally in 1997, after years of intense breeding, Dr. Carl Whitcomb introduced Dynamite®, the first crape myrtle with true red flowers. Dynamite® was widely acclaimed for its red flowers and became hugely popular, inspiring searches for more red crape myrtle varieties. Following this, Dr. Whitcomb and other breeders continued to introduce new ...
What is the name of the siren red?
Siren Red®. Dark red flowers on this new selection. Trademarked name of Whit VII.
Do crape myrtles need sun?
All crape myrtles need full sun. This is especially true with red crape myrtle varieties since shade or cloudy weather can cause some selections to lose their red flower color.
Do crape myrtles have red flowers?
Not only do we now have crape myrtles with true red flowers, but they are also available in different sizes suitable for various garden uses. Single- or multi-stemmed tree-form crape myrtles are ideal as flowering specimen trees or as small, flowering trees near patios, walkways, and entrances.
Is crape myrtle red?
Selections of crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp.) with true red flowers are now widely available, thanks to new and dramatic improvements in crap e myrtle flower color. As with other colors of crape myrtle, red crape myrtle varieties are free-flowering and will continue to produce flowers throughout summer and on into autumn.
How big do crepe myrtles get?
L. speciosa. Zones TS; 12–9. Tree to 25–30 ft. tall, 15–25 ft. wide. The showiest and most tender of the crepe myrtles, displaying huge clusters of white, pink, lavender, or purple flowers in June and July. Individual blossoms reach 3 in. across. Large leaves (8–12 in. long, 4 in. wide) turn red in fall. Smooth, mottled, exfoliating bark. Rank grower; annual pruning in winter is especially important to control size and form.
What is the best tree to plant in the South?
L. indic a . The premier summer-flowering tree of the South. Tolerates heat, humidity, drought; does well in most soils as long as they are well drained. May be frozen to the ground in severe winters in the Upper South, but will resprout. Gardeners there should plant cold-hardy selections such as ‘Acoma', ‘Centennial Spirit', and ‘Hopi'. Variable in size (some forms are dwarf shrubs, others large shrubs or small trees) and habit (spreading or upright). Dark green leaves are 1–2 1/2 in. long and somewhat narrower, usually tinted red when new; they often turn brilliant orange or red in fall. Crinkled, crepe-papery, 1- to 1 1/2-in.-wide flowers in white or shades of pink, red, or purple are carried in dense clusters.
What is the best plant to grow in the South?
The crepe myrtles are among the most satisfactory of plants for the South: showy summer flowers, attractive bark, and (in many cases) brilliant fall color make them year-round garden performers. Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while they're still green, ruining the show.
Can deer eat crepe myrtles?
Crepe myrtles are not usually browsed by deer.
What is a crepe myrtle tree?
The crepe myrtle tree is also commonly known as ‘crape myrtle,’ ‘crepe flower,’ and ‘Indian crape myrtle.’ Botanically speaking, its scientific name is Lagerstroemia indica. This is a deciduous plant that can be either a tree or a large shrub. It thrives in warm temperatures, being hardy through USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9, and so is popularly cultivated in these types of climates around the world. It is especially popular in the Southern United States, where it is a common sight in backyards and lining residential streets. The tree is actually native to parts of Australia and Asia.
Why is crepe myrtle so popular?
The bark of the tree has a mottled effect, and it sheds itself throughout the year to reveal fresh bark beneath. The flowers of crepe myrtle are the reason why it is so popular. It blooms in abundance in summer and fall, with huge panicles of densely packed, crinkled flowers. Crepe myrtle flowers come in various colors, ...
How to get myrtle to bloom again?
If you have a more traditional cultivar or crepe myrtle, which does not stay in flower for long, then pruning away spent flowers will encourage it to bloom again. By doing this, you can sometimes get three or even four blooming periods from your plant each year. To prune for improved flower production, simple cut away spent blooms when they fade to fruits or seed pods. This will also tidy up your tree if you don’t like the look of spent flowers or seed pods. The seed pods can also be quite heavy and might drag down your tree branches under their weight, and this is another reason that is in favor of pruning the crepe myrtle.
How tall is a Crepe Myrtle?
There are many cultivars of crepe myrtle available, with dwarf varieties that do not exceed three feet in height, through to large trees that can range in height from 30 feet to 100 feet. Dwarf cultivars that work well as low hedging or in borders include ‘Hopi,’ ‘Zuni,’ ‘Prairie Lace,’ ‘Centennial,’ ‘Victor,’ and ‘Acoma.’.
What is the term for the way people cut back crepe myrtles?
The trend to drastically cut back a crepe myrtle by entirely lopping off the upper section led to the coining of the term ‘crepe murder, ’ which refers to the way many people find the winter stumps of crepe myrtle to be unattractive. ‘.
How tall do watermelon trees grow?
Larger varieties, like ‘Sioux,’ ‘Natchez,’ ‘Muskogee,’ ‘Miami,’ ‘Watermelon Red,’ and ‘Dynamite’ will typically reach a minimum of 25 feet tall, so they should be planted in a wide open space, away from the house and in a spot where they can grow unrestricted. If you follow these guidelines, then your crape myrtle will be a very low maintenance ...
How to keep a tree in good shape?
The best practice to ensure good shape and health is to remove all of the tips of the tree. This is known as ‘tipping’ and will reduce the size of the tree while retaining an attractive look. This is a time-consuming process that might be difficult if the tree is very large, and you cannot reach all areas of it.
