Crape Myrtles are shrubs or small trees known for their explosion of showy flowers with wrinkled petals like crepe paper. They boast year-round appeal, but in the heat of summer they show their true colors, from various shades of pink and red to lavender and white. The long-lasting blooms appear in mid-summer and continue to early fall when not much else is blooming. Their fall foliage has shades of orange and red to brighten the season. As the plants mature, the winter reveals their exfoliating bark which makes their trunks look like living works of art. Crape Myrtles leaf out late in the spring. Just when you think there is no hope, you begin to see leaves emerge and they take off. Many varieties have reddish leaves in spring that mature to deep green in summer.

Crape Myrtles love the sun and are extremely heat tolerant. They should be planted in an area with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. The more sun they get the more flowers they will have. They aren’t picky about their soil but do need good drainage. During the first growing season, Crape Myrtles should be watered regularly and deeply once a week, or twice a week in extremely hot weather. These plants are deer resistant and drought tolerant once established. To read more about Crape Myrtle care, please click here.

Crape Myrtles make versatile additions to your garden. Use single specimens as a focal plant or plant several to form a screen. You can plant smaller varieties in a foundation bed or mixed border planting. Be sure to plant Crape Myrtles where you can enjoy the colorful blossoms all summer long.

Holly Days Nursery carries a great selection of Crape Myrtles. Some varieties like Pokomoke and Enduring Summer Red can grow up to 3-4’ tall and wide and are great for small spaces. The National Arboretum developed numerous varieties and named them after Native American tribes. Holly Days has Natchez, Muskogee, Tonto, and Tuscarora to name a few. These grow 8-10’ tall for some and up to 20’ tall for others. We also carry a collection of the Whitcomb hybrids like Dynamite, Pink Velour and Rhapsody in Pink that grow in the 10-15’ range. With all these Crape Myrtles available, we are sure to have some that will look great in your landscape.

Our team looks forward to assisting you with choosing the best Crape Myrtle for your outdoor space. The Holly Days Garden Center Experts are always happy to help customers with choosing the correct plant material to match their property’s conditions. So, swing by say hello and enjoy some fantastic garden center shopping! If you have any questions, you can contact us directly here.

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Crape Myrtles are one of the most well-loved summer bloomers around! Boasting explosions of vibrant blooms in July through to the fall, these magnificent trees and shrubs are sure to make a grand statement in your landscape. 

Care for these flourishing beauties is fairly low-maintenance and well worth the time that does go into caring for them. 

Ground Rules

LIGHT

For optimal flowering, plant your Crape Myrtle Shrub in full sun, where it will not have to compete for the sun with taller trees. Long periods of shade will reduce the volume of blooms and the overall growth of your shrub. In the same way, it makes the plant vulnerable to complications such as sooty mold or powdery mildew.

WATER

Although Crepe Myrtles are famously drought-tolerant, watering is still a necessity. 

When establishing your plant, water it several times a week. For Crepe Myrtle Shrubs, this establishment period typically lasts several months to a year depending on the size of the shrub. Well-established plants need to be watered weekly. This is especially important in hot and dry climates.

To test if your shrub needs water, stick your finger in the soil, 2 knuckles deep, and water if the soil is dry.

Potted plants typically dry out more often. To combat this, they must be watered several times a week, or even daily. Fill the pot with water until it trickles through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

SOIL

The most important factor when it comes to optimal soil for your Crape Myrtle is that it is well-draining, while able to retain some moisture. Other than that, it tolerates most soil types including clay, loom, sand, acidic, or alkaline.

For outstanding results, the pH of the soil should be 5.0 to 6.5, although this acidity will not affect the color of the flowers. When planting in a pot, choose a rich, all-purpose potting mix. It should also be noted that crape myrtles are not typically invasive, so they should be spaced from other plants that will threaten their space.

FOOD

A common myth about Crape Myrtles is that you need to fertilize them in order to have abundant flowering. In fact, over-fertilization will promote leafy growth, which in turn will reduce the production of blossoms.

If you do opt for a fertilizer, use a general-purpose blend and spread it evenly among the base of your shrub. Similar to mulch, be sure to leave a gap between the fertilizer and the trunk of the plant. The ideal time to apply is in early spring; one annual application in plenty with established shrubs.

With younger plants, you can apply once a month throughout the spring and summer, but it is paramount that you use a much smaller amount than you would with established plants. After fertilizing, give your plants plenty of water.

For potted plants, use a slow-release fertilizer throughout the spring, but stop 2 months before temperatures are expected to reach freezing overnight.

TOXICITY

Non-Toxic to Dogs, Cats, Horses and People

MULCH

To help the tree or shrub retain moisture after watering, apply a layer of organic mulch surrounding the trunk of the shrub. Leave a small gap to prevent rot. 

Planting Process

1. When planting your Crape Myrtle Shrub in a garden, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the shrub; the depth of the hole should be no deeper. If your hole is too deep, suckers will more prominently form as the shrub grows. 
2. Fill your hole with the same soil that was removed from the hole.
3. If your preferred area lacks nutrients, mix compost, or manure with the soil in the area before planting your shrub.
4. If you choose to plant your Crepe Myrtle in a pot, choose a container that is slightly larger than the one the plant came in. This will allow the roots to grow as the plant establishes. It is equally as important to choose a pot that has multiple drainage holes at the bottom to drain excess water and prevent root rot.

For this full guide and plant article please, click here.