Crape Myrtles

Crape myrtles come in a variety of colors and sizes to add punch to your summer landscape.  Below is a standard 'Natchez' crape myrtle from my landscape that was planted about three years ago from a five gallon from Sparkman's Nursery.

White bloom on the 'Natchez' crape myrtle

Hot pink bloom of the 'Carolina Beauty' standard pink crape myrtle.

Standard crape myrtles will typically grow 12' to 15' in our area.  Also available are the Indian series crape myrtles (8' to 10' tall), dwarf crapes (4' to 6' tall), and weeping crape myrtles (15" to 18").  All are available in shades of pink, lavender, and white.  The taller varieties can be pruned up into a tree form or can be allowed to grow unpruned as a large bush.

Crape myrtle in the background with 'Cabaret' miscanthus grass, rosemary, and marigolds in the landscape.

  

Crape myrtles exhibit an interesting characteristic called exfoliating bark which can be seen below.  This is healthy and natural for the plant and will add layers of texture and interest as your crape myrtles mature.

Exfoliating bark on a crape myrtle trunk.

Crape myrtles are deciduous which means they lose their leaves in winter, and they will typically give you some yellow, orange, and purple fall color in autumn.