Crepe Myrtle Care Guide: How to Plant and Grow Crepe Myrtles

A crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia)—also sometimes written as crape myrtle—is a large plant with a long blooming season from late spring throughout summer and even into early fall in warm regions. In some areas of the country, it may be called a crape myrtle tree or referred to as a large shrub, however, it’s scientifically classified as a tree and sheds its leaves in late fall.

The crepe myrtle has become a popular garden landscaping choice for its variety of flower colors, bright green leaves, and textured bark, which peels in irregular patterns, revealing a patchwork of greens, browns, and pinks. It’s also drought-tolerant and can withstand higher temperatures. The crepe myrtle offers fall color with vibrant leaves in hues of orange, red, and yellow.

There are dozens of cultivars and varieties of crepe myrtles that vary in height, bloom size, and flower color. Here are four that are popular:

1. 1. 'Natchez' (L. indica var. fauriei): This crepe myrtle cultivar offers a long season of summer blooms, with soft white flowers that last for about three months starting in early- to mid-summer. The ‘Natchez’ is a single trunk tree and grows to be about 30 feet tall when fully mature. In the fall, the leaves turn bright shades of orange and red. It can be grown in full or partial sun,
2. 2. Queen’s Crepe Myrtle (L. speciosa): Commonly referred to as a giant crepe myrtle, this plant grows to 25–30 feet tall with supersized clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers. The Queen’s Crepe Myrtle grows better in full sun. Expect bright fall foliage and mottled, exfoliating bark. It’s known for its disease resistance.
3. 3. ‘Tuscarora’ (L. indica): This mid-height crepe myrtle cultivar is a multi-trunk plant that will reach 15–20 feet when mature. As such, it’s often mistaken for a large bush when young. It grows fast, with muted pink flowers and leaves that are red in the early spring but then mature to dark green later in the season. It’s also mildew-resistant.
4. 4. 'Centennial Spirit’ (L. indica): This is one of the most popular crepe myrtle cultivars. The small tree offers large, long-lasting dark red flowers, even in the hottest temperatures, and its blooms, which occur in late spring and early summer, attract butterflies.

Plant crepe myrtles in USDA plant hardiness zones 7–10 for the best growing results. To encourage summer blooms, plant the tree in late fall to early spring. The tree tolerates most types of soil, but you should ensure that the area is well-drained.

1. 1. Choose a sunny location. Crepe myrtles prefer full sun.
2. 2. Water before planting. Thoroughly soak the root ball before removing it from the greenhouse container.
3. 3. Dig a hole. Dig a planting hole approximately three times as wide as the root ball. The depth should be only as deep as the root ball.
4. 4. Check the soil pH. Crepe myrtles prefer slightly acidic soil, which should range from 5.0 to 6.5 on the pH scale.
5. 5. Plant the crepe myrtle. Gently untangle the root system when removing them from the pot. Place the plant into the hole so that the base of the tree is at ground level, then fill in the soil around the roots and press down firmly until the tree stands up straight.
6. 6. Water the soil. Thoroughly water the newly planted tree until the ground around the crepe myrtle is fully saturated.

While the crepe myrtle is a low-maintenance tree, it still requires some attention. To care for the crepe myrtle, mulch the soil around the tree with peat moss to help it maintain moisture. Occasionally remove small branch growth, known as suckers, on the bottom of the plant. Remove spent flowers after they’ve bloomed to encourage a second bloom in late summer.

Crepe myrtles should be pruned in winter or early spring to avoid damaging new growth. Growing experts also advise against over-pruning to significantly reduce its height (referred to as crape murder or crepe murder), since this weakens the plant. Instead, prune the tree branches a few inches to fine-tune the shape of the plant before the growing season begins.

Additionally, keep an eye out for pests, especially aphids, or diseases on your crepe myrtles. Some of the older cultivars of crepe myrtles are susceptible to powdery mildew disease and require fungicide applications at the first signs. Newer hybrid crepe myrtle trees are generally resistant to powdery mildew.

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