The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a signature southern plant that thrives in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas landscapes. This favorite ornamental tree has a deep, storied history here in the United States.

Are crape myrtles native to Tennessee?

Nor are most shrubs (even “American” boxwood), nor any Crepe-myrtle. All these plants are native somewhere, but not here. And guess which plant outnumbers every other tree in Tennessee? … So, our Nature needs all the native we can give it.

What month do crepe myrtles bloom in Tennessee?

Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety. You may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well.

What zones do crepe myrtles grow in?

Planting Crape Myrtle All crape myrtles are sun lovers, generally cold hardy in Zones 7-10, although there are some that will work in Zone 6 as well. They are extremely heat-tolerant and quite drought-tolerant once established.

Where do crepe myrtle trees grow best?

Climate: Crape myrtles can be grown in hardiness zones 6-10, although in zone 6 they’re likely to die back to the ground in winter. Water: Crape myrtles like humid climates. Once established, they can tolerate quite a bit of drought. Light: Crape myrtles flower best in full sun (at least six hours per day).

Do birds like crepe myrtles?

A garden with a crepe myrtle also enjoys bird song. Birds flock to crepe myrtle trees to eat the ripe berries and also to feast on insect pests.

Is crape myrtle invasive?

Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

Can you grow crepe myrtle in Missouri?

Crape myrtle is somewhat difficult to transplant and so must have a ball of earth around the roots. It is not hardy in the northern parts of Missouri. Some winter protection is needed in all but the southernmost parts of the state.

Do crepe myrtles grow in Kentucky?

Performance – Crepe myrtle is a common southern shrub/small tree that is hardy in Kentucky , but freezes to the ground during many winters. Because it often freezes to the ground, it can be grown similarly to many other herbaceous perennials in the state.

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. … Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes.

Article first time published on

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it’s done, it ruins the tree’s graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Do crepe myrtles lose their leaves?

Since the crepe myrtle is a deciduous tree, it sheds all its leaves in the winter, leaving behind the beautiful bark on the tree, which makes it a prized tree in many yards. … Some crepe myrtles will flower. Once the flowers fade, it’s summer.

How long do crepe myrtles live?

Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that’s the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.

Do crepe myrtles need sun or shade?

Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. With less sunlight, blooms will not be as prolific and their colors may be diminished. These plants are not demanding about the pH of their soil, though neutral or slightly acidic soils are best.

How long does it take a crape myrtle tree to grow?

The largest crapemyrtles are usually single-trunk types. They are trained to grow as trees and can reach heights of over 40 feet, although most average between 20 and 30 feet. It takes these trees between 10 and 20 years or longer to grow to maturity.

How close can I plant a crape myrtle to my house?

As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size. It will naturally tend to grow away from the wall and toward the light.

Do crepe myrtles smell?

Crape Myrtles are TREES and that means they grow TALL from 20 – 40′ in height. They have been lovingly referred to as the Lilac of the South (with no fragrance) with a very long bloom time in the summer.

Do crepe myrtles attract bees?

Flowers on ‘Seminole’, ‘Victor, and ‘Apalachee’ crape myrtles attracted the most bees. Although crape myrtles are attractive to pollinators, they are prone to a few pest problems for which systemic insecticides are sometimes applied.

Are crepe myrtles toxic to dogs?

Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.

Do cardinals like crepe myrtles?

Goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos, house finches, cardinals, and house and white-throated sparrows visit the trees continually from early December through late February to devour the abundant seed crop that crape myrtles provide.

Do hummingbirds eat crepe myrtles?

Hummingbirds like to feed from flowering shrubs that include azaleas, rhododendron, crape myrtle, weigela, rose of Sharon and butterfly bush. Coral bells, garden phlox, delphinium, hollyhocks, columbine, dianthus, hostas, perennial hibiscus and day lilies are also tasty treats.

Do butterflies like crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtle The spectacular flowers won’t stop attracting butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. You can even remove the first wave of flowers to encourage a second bloom.

Is a crape myrtle a perennial?

Grow Crape Myrtles as Perennials: In zone 6 (and sometimes zone 5), many crape myrtles can be grown outdoors as perennials, which means they’ll likely die back to the ground over the winter then resprout in spring.

Are crepe myrtles freeze tolerant?

Crape myrtles can tolerate temperatures as low as approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Below-zero temperatures and hard freezes may cause crape myrtles to die back during the winter.

How do you protect crepe myrtles in the winter?

It is advisable to wrap young (1 year or less) and small Crepe Myrtle trees. Wrap burlap around the branches and then add an insulating filler such as leaves or straw to provide additional protection. Use bush jackets for dwarf plants. Bush jackets are reusable insulating covers that cover the plant.

Can I grow crepe myrtle in Zone 5?

In USDA Zone 5 or further north, where low winter temperatures drop well below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, you can grow crape myrtles in containers that can be overwintered in an interior space where temperatures don’t drop much below 20 degrees F.

Are lilacs native to Missouri?

Common lilac has few post-bloom ornamental features of note. … These shrubs are in large part grown for their flowers and fragrance. It is the State flower of New Hampshire even though it is not native to the U.S.

Will crepe myrtle grow in Kansas City?

Crape myrtle has long been a staple of Southern landscapes that has worked its way north over the years. Though it was originally classified as a Zone 7 plant, breeders have worked to extend its range with more cold-hardy varieties, making it right at home in Kansas City.

How many trunks should a crape myrtle have?

For most crape myrtles, choose three, five, or—at most—seven main trunks. An odd number of trunks is more pleasing to the eye than an even number, which often looks like soldiers in formation. Keep trunks that have ample space to grow and are growing straight and strong.

Do crepe myrtles grow fast?

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.

Are crape myrtles good trees?

Crape Myrtles are shrubs and small trees that have long been associated with gardening in the South. Their resistance to drought and heat and their brilliant summer flowers make them ideal choices for easy-care gardening in hotter regions of the country.