The Crape Myrtle, occasionally misspelled Crepe Myrtle, is a flowering deciduous or evergreen tree that gardeners frequently use to bring a flash of color and delight to the garden. These vibrant accents are small to medium sized flowering trees that display showy, vivacious colors in spring and summer.Furthermore, do crepe myrtle trees lose their leaves in winter?
Common crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indicia) is a deciduous tree or small bush that comes in over 50 cultivars. As a deciduous tree, crape myrtles -- also written as crapemyrtle and crepe myrtle -- do lose their leaves in winter.
Furthermore, do wax myrtles lose their leaves? Our Wax Myrtle bushes tend to lose all their foliage during the Winter months and each year seem to flesh out their leaves less with each passing Spring.
Secondly, is there a difference between a crepe myrtle tree and a crepe myrtle bush?
The only difference is the mature size. See also our Crape Myrtles Plant Care and Collection of Varieties.
What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?
Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that's the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.
What happens if I don't prune my crepe myrtle?
And since the tree is smaller, it actually produces fewer flower clusters. Many people say they need to cut a crape myrtle back because of its size. There are a few valid reasons for pruning a crape myrtle. One reason is to eliminate crossed and rubbing branches because rubbing branches can lead to open wounds.Do crepe myrtles die in the winter?
Crape myrtles go dormant during every winter. During the dormant stage crapes will lose all their leaves and look like a dead tree. Don't worry, just like a bear sleeps for the winter, your crape myrtles may still still be sleeping . Some will start leafing out early if you have a some late warm winter weather.What kills crepe myrtle?
Glyphosate. Glyphosate kills virtually any plant it touches. Herbicides containing glyphosate may be painted on freshly cut stumps or sprayed onto the foliage to kill the crape myrtle.Are crepe myrtles messy trees?
Crape myrtles also require pruning to promote the new growth needed for blooming, to reveal the bark, and to keep the shrub or tree tidy. Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up.Are dwarf crepe myrtles Evergreen?
Crape myrtles are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, while wax myrtles include evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs and trees. Crape myrtles offer brilliantly-colored foliage in fall until the first hard frost of the season.Are crepe myrtles fast growing?
Take note that the black diamond crape myrtle growth rate is about the same even though these dwarf varieties are mostly bush-like shrubs and trees. In general, crape myrtles grow at a medium to fast growth rate at about 1-2 feet per year. Hence where they get their nickname – fast growing trees!Do crepe myrtles bloom first year?
Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year. The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive. Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June.What is the darkest red crape myrtle?
The Arapaho Crape Myrtle is a tall variety reaching around 20 feet with red flowers that are a true red, not just a dark pink. This tree has excellent resistant to powdery mildew.Do crape myrtle trees have invasive roots?
Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive? In fact, the entire crepe myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide. On the other hand, it is wise to keep all trees at least 5 to 10 feet away from walkways and foundations.Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?
Crape Myrtles bloom with a dose of Epsom Salts. Two: In order for your Crape Myrtle to bloom you may want to try this cocktail (for the Crape Myrtles, not you) Mixone tablespoon of Epsom Salts into one gallon of water and pour around the roots of the plant. Repeat for the others, using one gallon per plant.Do you have to cut back crepe myrtles?
Correct Pruning of Crape Myrtles While it is best to prune just before the dormant season ends in late winter to early spring, you should remove dead, diseased and dying limbs at any time. Branches that are crossing or rubbing should also be pruned .What is the hardiest crape myrtle?
Crape myrtles are dependable trees and shrubs in zones 7 – 10. In northern areas of USDA zone 6, a number of crape myrtle varieties (cultivars) are rated as winter hardy perennials but not develop into a full sized woody tree or shrub described on the plant tag.Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?
Crape Myrtle Trees need plenty of sun, so choose a bright sunny spot for your planting. They are idea for those hot, dry places where other plants do not thrive, so take advantage of that and use them in places that can be hard to fill.Can I plant crepe myrtle close to House?
Crape Myrtle Choices As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size. It will naturally tend to grow away from the wall and toward the light.What is the fastest growing crape myrtle?
BASHAM'S PARTY PINK (30' Fastest Growing Pink Tree) Basham's Party Pink is the fastest growing Crape Myrtle Tree we have ever seen. It is a very full upright tree that grows to 30 feet and its flowers can best be described as a pale pinkish lavender.Are crepe myrtles poisonous?
Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.How far apart should you plant crepe myrtles?
How far apart you plant crape myrtles depends largely on the cultivar you plant. "Natchez" (L. indica "Natchez") is one of the largest cultivars, growing at least 25 feet tall. It demands a spacing of at least 15 to 20 feet between trees. 
