![]() Because they flower at the ends of their new shoots these plants will flower just as well as their southern neighbors but of course they will not grow as tall. In those areas the branches will die in the winter but they will quickly re-sprout from the ground in spring and often grow as much as 5 feet tall in a single season. In fact, if you have soil that is always wet they are not a good choice, unless you can plant in a higher area away from the water.įor many years these trees have been associated with the South and warmer regions, but in recent years a lot of work has been done to make them hardier and most varieties can now be grown in zone 6 and even into zone 5. Once established they will grow well in dry conditions as well as normal soil. Most varieties grow in zones 7, 8 and 9, from Virginia throughout the South, and from Texas across to California and right up the west coast. Crape Myrtle Hardiness and Growing Conditions In warmer regions flowering can start as early as May and continue right up to frost, but they are at their best in summer, when most other flowers are finished blooming, which makes them especially valuable for keeping flowers in your garden for as many months as possible. ![]() The weight of the flowers causes the branches to arch over, giving the plant an elegant, relaxed appearance. The individual crape flowers are 1 or 2 inches across, with many petals, but they are clustered together into large heads up to 14 inches long, which form at the ends of the branches. The spectacular flowers were originally lavender-pink, but hard-working Crape breeders have produced varieties which cover the spectrum from white, bright pink, lavender, purple, deep pink to shades of brilliant red. They are green in summer and turn red or yellow in fall, but some of the newer forms have attractive colored leaves in spring too, like the Dynamite Crape, which is also especially recommended for its particularly brilliant fall color. The leaves are up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, with smooth edges and a healthy, glossy appearance. The bark is mottled and usually grey-pink in color some of the newer forms, like the Natchez, have especially beautiful bark which is mottled in gray, brown and maroon shades. They form larger shrubs or smaller trees between 5 and 25 feet tall, depending on the variety, pruning methods and location. Lagastroemia are shrubs or small trees that have several main stems and arching upper branches, which end in big sprays of flowers. ![]() No matter the size of our property, from a few square feet to several acres, these trees have a lot to offer the gardener who loves color without a lot of work – and isn’t that every gardener? Appearance of Crape Myrtles So they will fit well into a border of shrubs or stand alone as a specimen in a lawn, beside a driveway, as part of the foundation planting around your house, or as a spectacular hedge and screen. As well, with pruning, they can be modified in height and also turned into small trees which are excellent lawn specimens for smaller gardens. They come in a variety of sizes, from medium shrubs to small trees, so there is a variety that will satisfy your needs. Not only are they colorful all summer long, but they have gorgeous fall color too, and often attractive bark and colorful spring leaves as well, so they bring interest to your garden all year round. Most Crapes are tolerant of many kinds of soils, drought-resistant and just ask for a sunny spot to grow in to bring their radiance to your garden. Many of the newer forms, however, are frost-hardy so for the first time that southern color can be seen in northern gardens. They grow best in warmer regions and have been grown in the South for centuries, where they are associated with long, hot days, mint juleps on the porch and the brightness of a southern summer. They are easy to grow and some can grow up to 5 feet a year, so unlike some other plants that need patience to be seen at their best, Crape Myrtle trees will rapidly grow into substantial plants that will give your new garden a feel of maturity. Their bright colors are bold in the brightest sunlight and these rapid-growing plants will quickly bring your garden alive. Crape Myrtles (sometimes spelled Crepe Myrtles) are shrubs or small trees that are widely grown in warmer regions for their large, dramatic and colorful flowers which are produced all summer.
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