Meet the Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle | Lagerstroemia indica
How do you know it’s me?:
I am a deciduous tree, usually multi-trunked. There are dwarf shrub hybrid forms, as well.
My bark is smooth, thin, and sometimes showy - thin, peeling layers create a mottled appearance in shades of brown and gray.
The fruit I produce after flowering looks like bundles of round, green seed pods that mature into a woody brown.
My flowers typically have 6 petals, which are crinkled, thin, and at the end of an elongated stem-like structure. Each flower is 1"-2" wide, and they are densely bunched together to produce my famous flower plumes. Some flower centers include a dense bundle of yellow stamens.
I have glossy, leathery leaves that are shaped like a rounded oval. They are typically 1"-3" in size. Sometimes they emerge with a reddish tinge.
My stems also have flaky bark.
How big do I grow?: 6' - 30' height and spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun.
Where I prefer to put my roots: Moist, well-drained soil. I am drought tolerant once established.
Hardiness: Zone 6-9. Some dwarf shrub forms aren't as cold hardy.
Original home: I am native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia.
Colors: Depending on the variety, my flowers can be pink, red, purple, or white.
When I bloom: Mid-summer into early fall. Some varieties bloom until the first frost.
Wildlife friends: Many types of pollinators are attracted to my flowers, especially bees.
Flora Fun Facts: I am named for the similarity of my flower to crinkled crepe paper, and for my bark and foliage which resembles a myrtle plant. I am not actually within the same family as the myrtle plant.
More Info: In the southeast US, the crape myrtle is everywhere - along roadways, in front yards, in planters and plazas. This tough tree is tolerant of heat and urban conditions, making it a popular choice throughout the southern states. Some might say it has been over planted, but the beauty of this tree (when pruned correctly) can't be ignored. Summer brings vibrant flower displays and winter bring attention to the tree's sinuous form and unique multi-colored bark, which gets better with age.
A member of the Lythraceae (Loosestrife) family.
It responds well to pruning, which is best done in late winter to early spring before new growth appears.
A common mistake with this tree is over-pruning. This can reduce flower production and create knobby growth. The graceful form of a crape myrtle is best nurtured through selective, thoughtful pruning - to remove damaged branches, branches growing at an odd angle, or to train a central trunk or trunks (if multi-stem).
Some varieties have monotone bark color, while others can be quite varied and vibrant (like 'Natchez'). Lagerstroemia fauriei is another popular crape myrtle species commonly bred with indica to produce more colorful bark varieties.
Some varieties have a single-stem option - which can be better suited for tight planting locations.
The thin, papery bark sheds throughout the year, giving the tree it's famous mottled appearance.
