Crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia) are summer-bloomers in southern U.S. landscape gardens.
Grown for over two hundred years, these plants are often called southern lilacs.
Widespread European cultivation of crapemyrtles began about thirty years later.
George Washington received plants from the West Indies to grow at Mount Vernon around the same time.
Thomas Jefferson also planted crapemyrtles at Monticello.
The earliest crapemyrtle cultivars come from these sources.
Crapemyrtle blooms from July through September at Colonial Williamsburg.
The nice thing about a garden, its always a little bit different.
Modern cultivars of crapemyrtle species and cultivars beautify the streets of McKinney, TX.
The not-for-profit Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Foundation, formed in 1998, is responsible for this urban beautification.
More than 4,000 crapemyrtles currently enhance approximately 15 miles of median strips within McKinneys city limits.
), introduced Japanese crapemyrtles (L. fauriei).
Results included cultivars of hybrids betweenLagerstroemia indicaandL.
faurieiintroduced by the U. S. N. A.
Landscape gardeners now have many sizes and forms of crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia) cultivars from which to choose.
Choices can suit almost every southern and southwestern landscape setting.
Heat tolerant, pest-resistant and summer flowering, they ensure design novelty.
The big breakthough in crapemyrtle breeding began at the U. S. National Arboretum (U.S.N.A.)
began to introduce cultivars of hybrids between the Japanese crapemyrtles and the common crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica).
Landscape gardeners now have awesome numbers of modern crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia) cultivars from which to choose.
There are sizes and forms to suit almost every southern and southwestern landscape setting.
However, it is the dwarf cultivars which excite and inspire garden landscape design novelty and experimentation.
Their main site requirements are only full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
However, as new plants, these deciduous shrubs tend to look like ragged piles of sticks.
These miniature shrubs are not only easy-to-grow, they also bring new possibilities to southern summer garden design.
Such a tree is the popular Crepe Myrtle.
Originally from Asia this beautiful tree is now grown almost worldwide.
There are several shades of red, pink and purple ranging from deep to pale.
It is really difficult to choose which is the prettiest.
The flowering season of crepe myrtles is one of the longest of any tree.
The second reason why many gardeners chose crepe myrtle is that the bark is attractive.
It often has streaks of pinks and russet shades merging with the greys.
Strips occasionally peel off, leaving a pale greenish brown hue.
The twigs are a lighter pinkish tan colour.
The third reason to make crepe myrtles popular is that they have few diseases.
Their hardiness includes resistance to drought conditions.
Often they will continue growing slowly and flowering in spite of total neglect.
Of course, a little attention will increase their growth and beauty.
Fourthly, the leaves of the crepe myrtle are pretty, small and dainty.
They often drop quickly and form a yellow pond-reflection around the bottom of the tree before gradually turning brown.
And the last reason is perhaps the most important, especially for gardeners with only small yards.
While some crepe myrtles are quite tall, they can be purchased as a small shrub.
But a few sprays with soapy water will control it.
In fact some nurseries grow crepe myrtles to attract aphids away from their other plants.
Crepe (sometimes spelled crape) myrtles are often pruned back to the main trunk.
It also creates a lot of heavier branches that must then be disposed of.
A crepe myrtle that is allowed to grow to its natural height is naturally shapely.
And it will still be covered in blossom.
Otherwise pruning should only be done to take out dense center growth and branches that criss-cross.
In some climates they seed well, with the seed emerging from the lawn.
These also need to be pulled out unless a grove of crepe myrtle is desired.
Crepe myrtles should be grown in full sun and will grow best in moist conditions with well-drained soil.
They can be grown quite easily by cutting or seed.
The dwarf varieties commonly called myrtlettes can be grown in a large pot on a hot, sunny balcony.
They grow in USD zones 7 through 9.
Some newer varieties may be hardier.
