Crapemyrtle

A highly popular plant in the Southeast, the crapemyrtle produces dazzling blooms all summer long and is well-adapted to both heat and drought. And during the winter months, the bark of these shurbs and small trees can add interest to any landscape.

Selection

You're sure to find a crape mytle that's right for your yard. These versatile shrubs come in range of shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties that reach less than four feet to tree-sized varieties that can grow to more than twenty feet. You can read more about the many types of crapemyrtle in Florida.

Care

Crapemyrtles perform best when they receive full sun. Newly planted crapemyrtles should be irrigated regularly for the first few weeks. Once established, these plants are extremely drought tolerant and have low fertility requirements, though they respond to fertilizer and water with lush growth.

Contrary to popular belief, crapemyrtles do not require much pruning. Remove any poorly placed limbs as needed, but avoid what is commonly known as "crape murder."

UF/IFAS Sites

• Colorful Crapemyrtle
• Crapemyrtle: Beauty and Biological Control
• Crapemyrtle for Unrivaled Summer Color
• Featured Creatures: Crapemyrtle aphid
• Gardening Tips: Crapemyrtle
• New Red-Flowered Crapemyrtles
• Stop Crape Murder!

UF/IFAS Publications

• Choosing a Crapemyrtle (PDF)
• Crapemyrtle in Florida
• Crapemyrtle Q&A (PDF)
• Topics: Crapemyrtle Varieties

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Powdery Mildew
• Pruning Crapemyrtles

Other Sites

• Common Crapemyrtle--The National Arbor Day Foundation
• Common Crapemyrtle--Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (PDF)
• Common Diseases of Crapemyrtle--Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (PDF)
• Crapemyrtle--Clemson Extension
• Crapemyrtle--Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
• Crapemyrtle Culture--University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
• Crapemyrtle Photo Gallery--United States National Arboretum
• Crapemyrtle Questions and Answers--United States National Arboretum
• Crapemyrtle Varities--Clemson Extension