How to Use Crape Myrtles for Landscape Beauty

Known formally and scientifically as Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtles are trees that are native to Korea and China. Today, dozens of varieties and types, ranging from miniature shrubs, to larger shrubs and trees can be found in many places in the United States. Crape myrtles are fascinating, beautiful trees and shrubs that provide multiple opportunities to transform landscapes into magnificent masses of long-blooming, frilly, flowers from June to October.

Crape Myrtle Landscape Beginnings and Questions

There are always several important considerations for landscape planning and plantings. Landscaping plans require determination of the:

• exact areas for shrub and tree placement.
• actual, or potential mature, plant heights and widths.
• varieties of crape myrtle, trees or bushes, that fit the proposed needs.
• colors desired for display during the flowering period of 4 to 6 months.

A good initial approach is to consider what areas would benefit from flowering trees and shrubs like crape myrtles which are deciduous, and provide summer shade, but are leaf-free trees throughout late fall and winter season. Azaleas flower, for example in the period of May to June, but they retain leaves throughout the year – azaleas are evergreens.

Crape Myrtle Landscape Design and Patterns

Landscaping with crape myrtle trees and bushes is easy to design and accomplish. These steps will help in design, pattern, and specific placement.

1. Determine the exact locations on the property for the trees or bushes, and the dimensions of what a mature variety of crape myrtle will, or can fill, when it reaches its mature height and width.
2. Decide on the initial spacing for the trees or bushes, and the linear feet or meters that must be covered, and the width of the mature tree or bush.

Tree should be placed far enough away from building or structures to provide, upon maturity, several feet of clearance between the mature tree and solid structures. If shading of an area is desired, the suggested clearance distances should be maintained, otherwise these misplaced trees will scrape or abrade a home and will require severe pruning. Therefore, the initial planting distances of all trees are critical approximations and determinations.

To assist in proper and final tree or bush placements, note the variety of crape myrtle. Some tree varieties only grow to 3 to 9 feet (approx. 1 to 3 meters). Large tree varieties may reach heights of 39 to 50 or more feet (13 m to 15 m). Crape myrtle bushes tend to mature and grow to 3 feet by 3 feet (about 1m by 1 m).

Crape Myrtle Planting, Care, Fertilization and Pruning

Crape myrtles are tolerant of heat and some drought. Lagerstroemia indica prefers sunny, moist, well-drained locations, and blooms from June through September or October. The bark of the tree is distinctive and beautiful.

Planting of crape myrtles is not difficult.

1. Clearly mark the center location for each plant.
2. Dig the hole to permit the entire root ball or mass to be covered. Add about 6 inches (15 cm) of peat moss, or soil-fertilizer mix, into the base of the hole.
3. Carefully remove the crape myrtle from the pot or container, and deposit the plant into the center of the hole.
4. Quickly fill the hole with soil sufficient to cover the roots. Add soil to the same level as the top surface of the plant. The entire planting should be level with the surrounding land.
5. Water the planting thoroughly to saturation, and periodically thereafter, 2 to 3 times each week until the plants are established.

Once crape myrtles are established – usually within a few weeks – they are virtually maintenance-free bushes or trees that can beautify any landscape for decades. Winter pruning promotes abundant flowering as described below.

To promote abundant flowering, Lagerstroemia should be pruned only each winter in late December, January, or February. Lagerstromeia flowers are produced in frilly clusters called panicles (loose, irregularly-branched flower clusters). These flowers are produced on the new growth stems that arise from the pruned stems.

Crape myrtles are beautiful sights to behold and cherish! Check the photos below to see the beauty of crape myrtle trees and their flowers (click each photo to enlarge).

Sources

Editors (undesignated). 1999. 500 Popular Garden Plants. Mynah (USA), an imprint of Random House of Australia Pty Ltd, Milsons Point, Australia.

McDonald, Elvin. 1995. The 400 Best Garden Plants. Gramercy Books, N.Y., an imprint of Random House, N.Y., N.Y.

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