Crepe Myrtle Tree
Location
Pavilion, Walkways & Garden Areas
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Crepe Myrtle Tree
Lagerstroemia Indica
- Common Name: Crape Myrtle Tree (other common names: Crepe Myrtle, Crepe flower)
- Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica
- Family Name: Lythraceae
- Origin: China and Korea
- Height: 12’ – 15’
- Width: 8’ – 10’
- Growth: medium to fast
- Zone: 7A -9B
- Light Needs: Full sun
- Salt Tolerance: low
- Soil/PH/Texture: can be grown in virtually any soil, foliage may turn yellow if soil is too alkaline, and it requires excellent draining, strongly acidic to mildly acidic (pH 5.1 – 6.5).
- Soil Moisture: average watering, regularly but do not over water, should be well watered until well established.
- Drought Tolerance: high and heat tolerant as well
- Pests/Diseases: The most common problems include Cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, Japanese beetles, aphids, and sooty mold.
- Growing Conditions: easy to grow, low maintenance, and low fertilizer requirements. Contrary to popular belief, crape myrtles do not require much pruning, only remove any poorly placed limbs as needed, but avoid what is commonly known as "crape murder". (Do not just lop off the tops and do not over prune.)
- Characteristics: the leaves are deciduous, the bark on this tree is remarkable, can be single or multi-trunked trees, there are also varieties that grow as shrubs, miniatures, and bonsai. Blooms appear in mid-summer – mid-fall, and range in many colors - Pink, Fuchsia, Red, Coral, and White.
- Propagation: by softwood, semi-hardwood, hardwood, and hardwood heel cuttings, air layering and from seed.
- Wildlife: attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Facts: Some may seed aggressively.
- Designer Considerations: use as a specimen tree, scent, border, in beds, hedges, in a median, business, or residential property, or as a container plant for a patio or deck.