Crape Myrtle

Landscape & Garden Uses

Crape myrtles are chiefly known for their colorful and long-lasting flowers, which occur in summer. Most species of Lagerstroemia have sinewy, fluted stems and branches with a mottled appearance that arises from having bark that sheds throughout the year.

Flowers are borne in summer and autumn in panicles of crinkled flowers with a crêpe-like texture. Colors vary from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between. Although no blue-flowered varieties exist, the flowers trend toward the blue end of the spectrum with no orange or yellow except in stamens and pistils. The fruit is a capsule, green and succulent at first, then ripening to dark brown or black dryness. It splits along six or seven lines, producing teeth much like those of the calyx, and releases numerous, small, winged seeds.

LIGHT: Full sun
WATER: Drought tolerant and can thrive on rainfall alone after they’re established.
SIZE: 20-30 ft. height, 10-15 ft. width
Growing Preferences

Certain species of crape myrtle are used in landscaping and gardening as screens, lawn specimens, shrub borders, and container plants. Since crape myrtles are found in many places, opinions differ as to how to cultivate them in landscaping. Crape myrtles are best cultivated in warmer southern climates, U.S. zones 7–9, and prefer full sun. They occur in a variety of flowering colors and size.

  • Characteristics
  • Characteristics
  • Characteristics
  • Characteristics
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Zone: 7-9

Mature Height: 20-30 ft. tall

Mature Spread: 10-15 ft. wide

Landscape Characteristics

  • The leaves are opposite and simple, with entire margins, and vary from 5–20 cm (2–8 in). While all species are woody in nature, they can range in height from over 30 m (100 ft) to under 30 cm (1 ft); most, however, are small to medium, multiple-trunked trees and shrubs. The leaves of temperate species provide autumn color.

Classification by Use

  • Used in landscaping and gardening as screens, lawn specimens, shrub borders, and container plants.

Foliage Shade

  • Colors vary from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between.