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.

Do crepe myrtle bushes grow into trees?

Selecting Your Style of Crapemyrtle Delta Series Crapemyrtles can be grown in their natural form or trained into single- or multi-stemmed trees. Each style lends a unique aspect to the garden.

Is a myrtle tree the same as a crepe myrtle?

Crape myrtles are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, while wax myrtles include evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs and trees. … Crape myrtles offer brilliantly-colored foliage in fall until the first hard frost of the season.

What is a myrtle bush?

The Florgeous website notes that Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a small-leaved, aromatic evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. … Reaching a height of 15 feet with a spread of 20 feet when fully mature, myrtle bears black berries and can be a specimen plant, topiary, screen or hedge.

How can I tell what type of crepe myrtle I have?

Leaves: Crape myrtles have bright fall colors, considered very attractive and decorative. They have dark green leaves, with a red fringe upon opening. In the fall the leaves turn red, yellow, or orange. Leaf type is simple, shape is oval and venation is pinnate.

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.

How tall does a crepe myrtle bush get?

The common crapemyrtle grows to a height of 15–25′ and a spread of 6–15′ at maturity.

Is Myrtle a shrub or a tree?

The Myrtle Tree (or Myrtus communis) is a dwarf tree or shrub that’s cherished for its abundance of dainty, evergreen leaves that adorn the branches year round. In summer, the tree blooms with gorgeous star-like blooms that release their fragrance into the air.

Which crape myrtle is the best?

Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.

What is the smallest crape myrtle tree?

Very Dwarf ;1 – 3 feet Mature HeightCULTIVARFLOWER COLORGROWTH HABITChica PinkBright PinkSmall DwarfChica RedRose RedSmall DwarfChickasawPinkMiniature

Article first time published on

Are there dwarf crepe myrtles?

Crapemyrtles come in a wide selection of varieties. Not only do they differ in bloom and leaf color, but also in mature size. Dwarf varieties only grow to a height of 4 feet or less.

Do crape 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.

Which crepe myrtle is the fastest growing?

The Crape Myrtle Company Basham’s Party Pink is the fastest growing Crape Myrtle Tree we have ever seen. It is not unusual for Basham’s Party Pink to grow 12 to 15 feet per year! It is a very full upright tree that grows to 30ft+ tall with a 20ft+ canopy.

Are there different varieties of crepe myrtle?

Go for Color: Crape Myrtles come in a wide range of colors, including white, lilac, and purple, many shades of pink and different shades of red. So in the garden they go well with other plants in similar colors.

How many varieties of crape myrtle are there?

While there are over 50 types of crepe myrtle, consider these five favorites. These unique choices will add lots of visual interest to your landscaping with their changing colored leaves, different bark texture, and beautiful flowers.

What color will my crape myrtle be?

Crepe myrtle colors range from pink to deep red, to white or light purple. The flowers have a dainty feel with each petal looking ruffled (hence the name).

Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA, in any soil type. The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it’s fine.

What is the best time of year to plant crepe myrtles?

Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.

Do you trim crepe myrtle bushes?

Though many people plant crape myrtles, few people prune them correctly. Correct pruning yields gracefully shaped trees with more blooms that are held upright on strong stems. … Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy.

Should crepe myrtles be trimmed every year?

Growing Conditions Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.

What age do crepe myrtles bloom?

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 is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?

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.

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.

Does crepe myrtle bark peel?

That peeling bark is normal; in fact, it’s one of the most prized qualities of our favorite tree! As all Crepe Myrtles grow and mature, they shed last year’s bark, revealing a colorful, mottled bark beneath. … Sit back and enjoy the unique texture and coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed.

What does a crepe myrtle tree symbolize?

Crape Myrtle: Love, beauty longevity, good fortune. … The flowers it produces are considered to be the flowers of the gods, sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Throughout history, many cultures have believed that cultivating a crape myrtle will bring love and peace to your family.

What is a myrtle tree good for?

Myrtle is a plant. The fruit, leaves, and branches are used to make medicine. People take myrtle for treating lung infections including bronchitis, whooping cough, and tuberculosis. They also take it for bladder conditions, diarrhea, persistent heartburn, heavy periods, yeast infections, and worms.

What is special about a myrtle tree?

The entire plant contains a fragrant oil. Like so many other Bible plants, the myrtle is the only representative of its family in Israel. … As an evergreen, fragrant shrub associated with watercourses, the myrtle is a fitting symbol of the recovery and establishment of God’s promises.

How fast do dwarf crepe myrtles grow?

Take note that the black diamond crape myrtle growth rate is about the same even though these dwarf varieties are mostly bush-like shrubs and trees. In general, crape myrtles grow at a medium to fast growth rate at about 1-2 feet per year.

What is a hydrangea tree?

Tree hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), also known as panicle hydrangeas, are a fast-growing flowering shrub with an upright growth habit. … The shrub has oval, toothed, dark green leaves, and it produces cone-shaped flower panicles that stretch around 7 inches long with clusters of small, creamy white blooms.

How tall is a 15 gallon crepe myrtle?

General Garden Use. Tuscarora Crapemyrtle will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines.

Do deer eat crepe myrtles?

They are winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9. Though the hungriest deer will eat plants not characteristic of its regular diet, deer will seldom eat any variety of crape myrtle.

You Might Also Like