Crape Myrtle Trees
From PlantWiki
| Crape Myrtle Trees |
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| Species |
| Lagerstroemia |
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History
Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are ornamental trees which are native to specific areas of Asia. In fact, Marco Polo brought seeds with him from the Orient and delivered them to Europe. The crape myrtle is truly an Old World ornamental and original specimens can still be found in the colonial gardens of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia, US. The common crape myrtle was also introduced further south on the Eastern Shore of the United States in Charleston, South Carolina by Andre Michaux, a French botanist in 1790.
Characteristics
Crape Myrtles Trees are not only stunning, they are extraordinarily versatility. Different varieties of Crape Myrtle Trees offer an array of colors and mature sizes. You can expect the flowers to bloom from July until October. Crape Myrtles can be found by the names of Arapaho, Burgundy Cotton, Caroline Beauty, Dynamite, Muskogee, Natchez, Pink Velour, Tonto, Tuscarora, just to name a few.
Crape Myrtles can vary in mature height from 8-30’. Canopy sizes on mature trees can vary from 6’ to 20’. Leaf colors and bloom colors also differ from variety to variety. Some leaves are light green while others are a deep emerald green. Blooms can be white, pink, red, purple or salmon colored.
[Crape Myrtle Trees] are known for their drought tolerance once established and their love for hot climates.
Uses
Due to their beautiful blooms and foliage the Crape Myrtles are a practical choice for many areas. They do very well as a tree hedge, a barrier or as a garden focal point. The Crape Myrtle is a favorite among commercial landscapers because of its versatility. It offers beauty, high impact color and low maintenance. Quite often you will see Crape Myrtles planted along side streets and highways. Additionally, many municipalities find crape myrtles the perfect choice for public gardens and parks.
Home Uses
This tree is an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. The blooms that will be added to your landscaping will have tremendous impact on the appearance of your home. Crape Myrtles can not only provide a stunning focal point in your gardening plans, but when planted in rows or grouped together they can provide excellent privacy. Your cooling costs can even drop by placing a Crape Myrtle in just the right spot. A little shade can make a big difference during those hot summer months. And be sure to consider the ultimate height of the Crape Myrtle you chose. With careful planning the Crape Myrtle should need minimum pruning.