Crape Myrtle: Saving the Best for Last

By Jack Bigej, Owner of Al's Garden Center

I love color, putting the Crape Myrtle (also spelled Crepe Myrtle) on the top of my favorites list. In the heat of the summer when many Northwest trees and shrubs are looking a little tired, out pops the blooms of crape myrtle trees and shrubs. 

 

 

Although native to China, crape myrtles have set deep roots in our soil, becoming a part of both our landscape and our traditions. This time of year, they dress up historic cities and they grace many of our own private gardens, a sign of their enduring popularity.

 

 

I love these late bloomers for many reasons. Crape myrtles come in a multi-branch tree and shrub form and standard single stock tree forms. These easy-to-grow trees offer four seasons of interest. Sinewy and strong, crape myrtles have gray, tan, or cinnamon-hued branches that bear glorious clouds of colorful, long-lasting blooms starting in June on the east coast and in late August in the northwest. Their colors range from red and pink to lavender, purple, and white.  In the fall, they dependably produce radiant foliage in reds, oranges, and yellows. Winter reveals their exfoliating bark, which makes their naturally sculpted trunks look like living works of art.

 

Crape myrtles can range from 2 to 30 feet tall at maturity, depending on variety, and are easy to prune to keep to your desired height. Crape myrtles grow best in a location of full sunlight, moist fertile loam soil with good drainage, and good air circulation. They can tolerate considerable heat, humidity, drought, or excessive moisture, but not shade or poor aeration. Make sure for the first two years newly planted crape myrtles receive lots of water in the heat of the summer. 

 

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. 

 

After enjoying your first crape myrtle through all the northwest seasons you’ll understand why it makes the top of Al’s Garden Center’s must have plant list.