Crapemyrtle: A Summer-Blooming Beauty for Your Landscape
If you’ve ever admired those gorgeous flowering trees that light up the summer landscape with clusters of crinkled, papery blooms, you’ve likely encountered the crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). This popular ornamental tree has become a staple in many American gardens, particularly across the South, where its showy flowers and attractive bark make it a landscape favorite.
What Exactly Is a Crapemyrtle?
The crapemyrtle is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody plant that typically grows as a large shrub or small tree. Despite its widespread presence in American landscapes, this beauty is actually a non-native species originally from China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. It was introduced to the United States and has since naturalized in many areas, reproducing spontaneously in the wild across the lower 48 states, Pacific Basin territories, and Puerto Rico.
Where Does It Grow?
You’ll find crapemyrtles thriving across a wide swath of the United States, particularly in warmer climates. They’ve established themselves in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and several US territories including Guam, Palau, and Puerto Rico.
Why Gardeners Love (and Sometimes Question) Crapemyrtles
There’s no denying the appeal of crapemyrtles – they’re practically everywhere for good reason! Here’s what makes them attractive to many gardeners:
- Stunning summer blooms: Purple flowers (and cultivars in other colors) create a spectacular display when many other trees have finished flowering
- Attractive bark: The smooth, mottled bark that’s revealed as the outer bark exfoliates adds year-round interest
- Manageable size: Reaching about 25 feet at maturity, they’re perfect for smaller properties
- Drought tolerance: Once established, they handle dry conditions reasonably well
- Urban tough: They adapt well to city conditions and street plantings
However, as a non-native species, some gardeners prefer to choose native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems more effectively.
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to grow a crapemyrtle, here’s what you need to know to keep it happy:
Sunlight: These trees are sun worshippers! They need full sun to flower their best and won’t tolerate shade well.
Soil: They’re pretty adaptable but prefer well-draining, coarse to medium-textured soils. They can handle slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0-7.5) and don’t need rich, fertile conditions.
Water: While they have low to moderate water needs once established, they’ll need regular watering during their first year.
Climate: They need at least 165 frost-free days and can handle temperatures as low as -3°F, making them suitable for USDA zones 6-9.
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Crapemyrtles are generally low-maintenance once established, but proper planting and early care make all the difference:
- Timing: Plant in spring after the last frost when soil has warmed
- Spacing: Give them room to grow – they can spread as wide as they are tall
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk
- Pruning: Prune in late winter before new growth begins, focusing on removing suckers and crossing branches
- Fertilization: They have low fertility requirements, so don’t overdo it with fertilizer
Propagation
Crapemyrtles are readily available from nurseries and garden centers. They can be propagated through cuttings or grown from bare root stock, though growing from seed isn’t recommended due to low seedling vigor.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
During their summer blooming period, crapemyrtles do attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, providing some benefit to local pollinator populations.
Consider Native Alternatives
While crapemyrtles aren’t invasive, gardeners interested in supporting native ecosystems might consider these native alternatives that offer similar landscape value:
- Redbud (Cercis canadensis) for spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier species) for spring blooms and fall color
- Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) for showy white spring flowers
- Native dogwoods (Cornus species) for four-season interest
The Bottom Line
Crapemyrtles are undeniably beautiful and relatively easy to grow, which explains their popularity in American landscapes. If you choose to plant one, you’ll likely enjoy years of summer blooms and attractive bark. However, as conscientious gardeners, it’s worth considering whether a native alternative might better serve both your landscape goals and local wildlife. Whatever you choose, proper siting and care will ensure your tree thrives for years to come!
