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The crape myrtle is an outstanding ornamental that rewards with a long summer blooming season of showy flowers and a winter season of dramatic architectural beauty highlighted by distinctive exfoliating bark. In general, trees are extremely vigorous and hardy. Crape myrtles have been planted along highways in the southern United States for generations. They are becoming more widely used in urban areas, especially as new varieties have been developed for smaller size and disease resistance. A single crape is a magnificent specimen in the middle of a lawn. Multiple crapes, especially of the same color but different heights, can be quite effective. A cluster of crapes planted close together can provide a flowering canopy in summer and a study in texture during winter.
Crape myrtle likes moist soil, where it will grow exceedingly fast, but it tolerates dry conditions once established. Pruning is recommended only to remove overly dense branches and crossing limbs. Cutting off old flower heads in summer can promote a second and third round of flowering. Over fertilizing creates abundant foliage at the expense of blooms.
Zones 7-9
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