Plant of the Week---Crape Myrtle

The Crape Myrtle has taken over in our region as summer's blooming tree. Once considered a strictly southern tree, Crape Myrtles, Lagerstroemia, have worked their way into Maryland's USDA Zone 7 transitional hardiness zones. Breeding for better hardiness, including disease tolerance, has made this smaller tree a regional favorite. Our National Arboretum is responsible for much of the hybridization that has improved the Myrtle. Dr. John Creech introduced plants from a colder site in Japan that crossed the indica species with the fauriei species, responsible for so many new introductions over recent years.

Mottled gray and tan bark adds interest to the already beautiful tree with large panicle flowers in colors like purple, pink, red and white. Crape Myrtles also feature great fall color as the small leaves turn shades of gold and red in autumn.

Crape Myrtles do well in clay soil with slightly acidic pH. They prefer full sun for flowering; my dwarf Crape Myrtles struggle to bloom in a lightly shaded area. Water frequently when installed for the first year or so. They become drought tolerant once the roots are well established.

Suckers often grow from the base off the trees. Prune them as they appear. The tree requires only light pruning in the early spring. Crape Myrtles will begin to bloom in July in our mid-Atlantic region.

Use as a specimen tree as my neighbor has at his driveway's entrance, or in mass plantings as I've seen in area city scapes and parking areas. Small Crape Myrtles can also be used in container plantings, though they may need protection from winter's freezing temperatures. 

For more information on Crape Myrtles, visit Southern Living's website. Steve Bender, aka, The Grumpy Gardener, provides great tips for caring for this southern favorite that has migrated north to Maryland. 

Visit out nursery for a close look at the various heights, shapes, foliage and flower color of the many Crape Myrtles we carry. Click on the Plant Finder tab located on out Valley View Farms website for descriptions, photos, and more cultural information.

Enjoy Maryland's favorite summer flowering tree. You will seem them everywhere!