Kickn' In the Color with Crape Myrtle

 

Just when the summer is drawing to an end, and most of our summer annuals have lost their glory, Crape Myrtles explode with color. I have been introduced to many amazing plants over the last 60 years, but none has grabbed my attention and held it like the Crape Myrtle. The Crape Myrtle has so many positive qualities that it seems unfair to compare it to any other plant. 

 

 

Let me start with the blooms – vibrant, colorful, magnificent, long lasting blooms. Before they bloom, the buds on a Crape Myrtle look like small dark pearls on the end of each branch. The buds transform into blooms that resemble perfect puffs of cotton candy. Their colors fill the spectrum of whites, pinks, reds and purples, ranging in intensity from pastel to neon.  The bloom period for the Crape Myrtle here in the Northwest stretches from late August until first frost, making it one of the longest blooming shrubs or trees in our area, earning Crape Myrtles the title of the ‘Tree of 100 Days’.

 

Just like the wide range in bloom color, the foliage of the Crape Myrtle varies greatly, depending on the season. In spring and summer the foliage will appear in colors of solid light green to dark green with hints of burgundy. In the fall, Crape Myrtles put on their second big show. As the blooms transform into berries, the leaves mature into luminous colors of gold, copper, and ruby red.

 

With the arrival of the winter winds the fall foliage begins to drop, and yet another attribute of the Crape Myrtle draws attention. The smooth bark will begin to “exfoliate” as the crape myrtle matures, peeling back in layers of gray, green and brown. Each variety of Crape Myrtle has its own unique bark coloration and texture, from the mottled light brown of ‘Tuscarora’ to the birch-like peeling bark of ‘Natchez’. 

 

 

But don’t just love them for their looks; gardeners can now literally take their pick from an array of varieties ranging in size from 3-5 feet up to heights of 25 feet or more. The low-spreading shrubs are great for borders while midsize specimen trees work well as a focal point in small gardens or around sidewalks and terraces. Popular choices for street trees and larger yards are the faster growing varieties which can grow 20 to 25 feet and taller. If you find the perfect color and variety for your landscape but are worried about its height – don’t be. Crape Myrtles are one of the easiest plants to prune and keep to your own desired maximum height.

  

 

Caring for your Crape Myrtle is an easy task. There are a number of disease resistant hybrids developed by the National Arboretum. Even the most seasoned gardener can appreciate a plant that can reach its fullest potential with minimal attention. 

 

Crape Myrtles grow best in the full sun. Plant them in moist, fertile, loam soil with good drainage and good air circulation. Few pests or diseases bother Crape Myrtle and they need very little watering once they have become established. 

 

Only a minor amount of pruning is required to keep them looking their best and dead-heading the blooms can be done late in the season, after blooming. It is a good idea to remove small twiggy branches in order to open up the air circulation to the plant.  Unlike other plants, Crape Myrtles do not need to be cut back in the off season in order to bloom in the summer; in fact, doing so would compromise their ability to adapt to the cold weather. 

 

Fertilize your Crape Myrtles with a slow release fertilizer, like Al’s 10-4-8 Slow Release Fertilizer twice a year; once in late February or early March and once in May or early June. This will keep your plants looking fresh and bursting with blooms! 

 

 

Like I said, it’s not fair to compare a Crape Myrtle to any other plant. It blooms in a variety of colors for many months on end, offers a variety of heights, needs little care, and has something to offer every season for all types of gardens. What is there not to love about the Crape Myrtle? Unless of course, you don’t need a little “Wow” in your life.