Native to Asia, crape myrtles get their common name from their flowers, which resemble crepe fabric. Depending on the cultivar, crape myrtles range in size from 18-inch shrubs to treelike forms growing up to 40 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. After crape myrtles flower, small, brown seeded fruits form.Regarding this, is a crepe myrtle a tree or a bush?
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Crape myrtles are popular landscape trees. Crape myrtles are popular landscape trees. They bloom in the summer, when there are few other trees and shrubs providing that service. The larger varieties grow rather quickly, providing a bit of shade in addition to the seasonal color.
Furthermore, how do you take care of a crepe myrtle bush? How to Care for Crape Myrtle
- Find Full Sunlight. Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive.
- Use Suitable Soil.
- Fertilize Lightly.
- Treat Fungus Before It Starts.
- Prune Sparingly in Winter or Early Spring.
- Expose the Trunk for More Beauty.
- Deadhead for Even More Flowers.
In this way, how can I tell what type of crepe myrtle I have?
The best way to identify a specific variety or species of crepe myrtle is to note all its characteristics, including mature size, flower color, fall color, growth habit (tree or shrub) and bark color.
When should I buy crepe myrtle?
Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.What month do you cut back crepe myrtles?
When to Cut Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.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.How long do crape myrtles live?
50 years
Are crepe myrtles toxic to dogs?
Crepe or Crape Myrtles Another plant with a similar name, the crepe myrtle, is actually a tree that produces flowers throughout the summer. This plant variety is non-toxic to dogs.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.How far apart do you plant crape 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.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 colors do Crape myrtles come in?
Go for Color: Crape Myrtles come in a wide range of colors, including white, lilac, and purple, many shades of pink and different shades of red.Can you change the color of crepe myrtle?
A: The color change in the flower after it is spent is common on many plants. The color of the bloom often does change colors once the flower fades. Sometimes more than one type of crape myrtle is planted together too and you will see various colors of blooms.Do crepe myrtles stay green all year?
Some varieties grow in bush form and do not exceed 5 feet in height at full maturity. As a deciduous tree, crape myrtles -- also written as crapemyrtle and crepe myrtle -- do lose their leaves in winter.What is the darkest red crape myrtle?
The bloom color is the darkest red of the Black Diamond Collection. Crimson Red™- We have found Crimson Red to naturally take on a shrubbier habit. The bloom color is the brightest red in the Black Diamond Crapemyrtle Collection.What color is Tuscarora crape myrtle?
The Tuscarora Crape Myrtle has leaves that are glossy green in the summer and in the fall they turn red-orange. Each summer the Tuscarora Crape Myrtle exfoliates its light brown colored bark in thin strips to expose a smooth and light gray colored bark.How do you get rid of crepe myrtle scales?
Scrub down the trunk of the crape myrtle with a mild solution of dishwashing soap and water using a long-handled brush to remove the scale and sooty mold. This method is effective. Another treatment recommended is to spray the trunks of the trees with dormant oil in late winter.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.Do crepe myrtles need pruning?
Correct pruning yields gracefully shaped trees with more blooms that are held upright on strong stems. Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Although some gardeners prune their crape myrtles in the fall, I do not recommend doing this. 
