How big do white crape myrtles get?
With a six to eight-foot spread and height of up to twenty feet, the White Crape Myrtle is not overpowering, but large enough to provide shade to your yard. The White Crape Myrtle is an excellent choice for landscaping, even in urban areas, because they are smaller than most trees. Most local nurseries will label their plants with this information, which is just as important as flower color and bark appearance. Crape myrtle is a low-maintenance plant needing little or no pruning if planted in full sun away from walkways and roads.The best time to plant crape myrtles is late fall or early spring. Planting in the fall allows the roots to establish themselves before winter dormancy, while early spring planting takes advantage of the upcoming growing season.No additional winter care or protection is necessary for Crape Myrtle when grown in warmer climates. Cover the plant if possible to protect it from the elements should a rare weather event like a snow or ice storm happen.Crape myrtle do not have invasive root systems, which may be one reason they are used as sidewalk margin trees. They don’t lift the sidewalks as so many other trees do. And their beautiful fall color is another reward. Crape myrtles have been grown in China since the Tang dynasty.
Why don’t people like crepe myrtles?
From regular suckers that need to be trimmed regularly to a vigorous root system that makes it nearly impossible to get rid of, there are many hidden downsides of growing a crepe myrtle tree. As a nonnative, crepe myrtles also aren’t the best choice for gardeners who want to attract birds and pollinators to their yard. Crepe myrtles can be grown as either a shrub or small tree and are often used in groupings to create privacy hedges. Their average height is between 15 and 25 feet and they can grow fast – up to 2 feet in 1 year!So yes — Crepe Myrtles are deciduous, and they lose their leaves every year, but that’s exactly what makes them so special. From brilliant summer blooms to sculptural winter form, they bring year-round interest and charm to your garden.Crepe myrtle bushes tend to grow shorter with a shrubby form. They often have several stems growing from the base. These are great as ornamental shrubs, border plants, or in group plantings. Crepe myrtle trees, on the other hand, grow upright.Crepe myrtles have a lifespan of around 25 years. However, some crepe myrtles have been known to live for 100 years or more! This tree does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand extreme heat.While pruning a tree is always a good idea for long-term health, crepe murder happens when crepe myrtle trees are overpruned. Overpruning is described as cutting back of main branches or “topping”. Since crepe myrtle trees grow naturally into a pretty form, they don’t need to be trimmed too much.
What are common problems with white crepe myrtles?
Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are essentially trouble-free small trees. The most common problems include powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles, and sooty mold. Crepe myrtle trees are not only beautiful additions to gardens, but they also help to improve people’s health. The trees help in inhibiting certain types of cancer, aids in bone repair, and slows down aging. It does this through its chemical compounds.Crepe Myrtle” has a long heritage of usage in the South and is still used more often than “Crape Myrtle,” though both spellings are considered correct. If you are ever unsure of which spelling to use, just remember that both are correct, and you can’t go wrong!Invasive Roots Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks.Damage – The crapemyrtle aphid is the only significant insect pest of crepe myrtles in the Southeast. Because it feeds on the lower surface of crepe myrtle foliage, it is inconspicuous except for the copious amounts of honeydew that it excretes.
Where not to plant crepe myrtle?
In The Shade Crepe myrtles like full sun. While they will tolerate a few hours of shade per day, they need at least six hours of sunlight and are very heat tolerant, perfect for the hot Southern climate. Without the sun they need, they may not have many or any blooms. While crepe myrtles are typically outdoor plants due to their size and sunlight requirements, you can start them indoors from seeds or cuttings. They should be moved outdoors as they grow larger and if you’re looking for them to thrive.Find a Sunny Location First, you need to decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation for the best blooms. Six hours of sun a day is the minimum requirement. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage.Some crape myrtles grow to only 3 feet tall, while others reach 20 feet or more, and you can find a variety of almost any size in between. Many of the largest varieties grow upright and develop a spreading crown, creating a lovely tree. Crape myrtles naturally grow with multiple trunks.Don’t plant Crape Myrtles in shade. Crape Myrtles perform their best in 6+ hours of blistering full sun per day. Even light shade at various times during the day will greatly reduce flowering, cause the tree to appear thin, and force it to reach for the sun, creating a leggy look.
What is the rarest color of crepe myrtle?
Lagerstroemia floribunda (King’s Crape Myrtle) – The ultimate rarity, maturing to a jaw-dropping 100 feet tall! With cascading branches and vibrant blooms in shades of pink, purple, and red, this tree is so rare you’re almost guaranteed to be the only one you know who has it! Crape myrtles are very hardy, so they are very forgiving during periods of neglect or over pruning, but imagine the display of flowers your plant will give you with the proper care! Newer branches won’t be able to hold the weight of the blooms due to growing too long and weak especially when wet.Whereas many types of crape myrtles live for a few decades on average, Natchez crape myrtles generally have a lifespan of about 50 years.Choosing a Planting Location A location with lots of airflow and average, well-draining soil will encourage healthy foliage and abundant flowers. Unlike most other plants, fertilizing and enriching the soil is not recommended for crape myrtles as it tends to result in fewer flowers.Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year. The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive. Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety.Just like its name suggests, the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle Tree shoots up like a rocket, growing up to 5 feet or more in only one year. Plus, it delivers bright red flowers from early July to September. That’s 100 full days of color.
What is the downside of crepe myrtle?
Invasive Roots Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks. Name: crepe (or crape) myrtle (various Lagerstroemia species, crosses and hybrids). Plant type: small to medium-sized deciduous tree, often fast growing.Crepe myrtles are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter. If you are wanting your tree for shade or privacy, make sure that you know your tree is without leaves for part of the year.If you’ve beheaded a big crepe myrtle to within a few feet of the ground, there’s only one solution. Cut the sorry plant completely to the ground. It will grow back very quickly. The next winter, select three to five well-spaced trunks and cut off any others at ground level.Symbolism: In cultural symbolism, Crepe Myrtle represents love and romance in some Eastern cultures, and in the United States, it is often seen as a symbol of Southern strength and resilience.