There are some plants that are simply classic, featuring in gardens around the world for good reason. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp) is one of them, and with good reason—with a number of different species, colors of foliage, and sizes that range from a container shrub to a small tree, crape myrtle fulfills many different garden rows. It can be an accent piece, provide vertical interest in a more complex bed, function as a screen or hedgerow, or just provide a bit of shade. It’s a beautiful plant with an interesting history, so let’s dig in and learn a bit more about crape myrtle and how to grow them in your garden!
Where Do Crape Myrtles Come From?
These plants are so ubiquitous in gardens and landscapes that many origins seem possible—are they from the Mediterranean or North Africa? Do they come from the Arabian peninsula, or are they a New World tropical? Those are all good guesses, but as far as we know are native to parts of Southeast Asia, norther Australia, and maybe some places in South Asia as well. It’s an interesting dispersal for a species—did humans help spread it or did it expand naturally? While it’s been a popular garden plant for centuries, we don’t know much about the history of crape myrtle until the 18th century, when a Swedish merchant named Magnus von Lagerstroem introduced them to Europe. The plant is named after him as a recognition of his role in its popularity.
Growing and Caring for Crape Myrtle
As you might expect given their tropical/subtropical origin, crape myrtles generally prefer warmer climates. However, don’t underestimate these plants—they’re tough, drought-resistant, and adaptable. With a little care and flexibility on the part of the gardener, they can grow in a wide variety of locations and conditions. Hence their popularity as a landscaping plant and their presence in gardens, parks, and city streets throughout the world. So how can you grow crape myrtle in your own garden space?
First off, relax—this plant is as we’ve said adaptable. Crape myrtle will tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, but it generally does best in a well prepared soil. When transplanting a seedling or mature plant, dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball. Any soil amendments should be worked into the soil around this hole, rather than used as backfill—if the hole itself is filled with compost or fertilized soil, it can lead to root binding as the roots have no incentive to grow outward. Top dressing with compost is also a good idea—crape myrtle aren’t especially rich feeders but they do need nutrients to thrive. Plant your crape myrtle to same depth as its original location; burying the stem or trunk can cause health problems for these plants. When done planting, water thoroughly and slowly to help settle the soil and give your new crape myrtle a good healthy drink. Mulch is very helpful to crape myrtles, so at a minimum you should mulch the area over the root ball heavily and mulching much further out isn’t a bad idea. This is one of the reasons you see crape myrtles incorporated into so much landscaping—that and their long-lasting colorful blooms and unique paper-like bark!
Crape myrtles like full sun. Shade will reduce the amount of foliage and flowers the plant produces, affecting its health and robbing it of its full beauty. Too much shade can also lead to sooty mold and powdery mildew, which can harm the plant if they get out of hand. After planting, water deeply twice a week for a few months until the plant gets established. Well-established crape myrtles will tolerate drought fairly well, but water during dry periods helps the plant produce leaves and flowers.
A quick note about weather: for a plant originating in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, crape myrtles can be surprisingly cold hardy. Extreme cold can kill off the above-ground portions of the plant, but don’t be surprised if the root ball starts to put up new growth in the spring. A bit of cold protection can help for prolonged cold spells, but if you pick the right varietal of crape myrtle for your climate you should have nothing to worry about.
Pruning Crape Myrtle
Pruning is always a touchy subject amongst gardeners, as we all have our own theories and beliefs about the best way to do it. Pruning crape myrtles is an especially sensitive question, as over-pruning is one of the biggest mistakes gardeners and landscapers make with these plants. In brief, all other things being equal crape myrtles require very little pruning. These plants generally take care of themselves quite well and grow to an appropriate size for the conditions in which they’re planted. If a given plant is near a sidewalk, walkway, or street, some pruning may be necessary to keep it from obstructing traffic or access. Likewise in some landscaping applications a bit of pruning to encourage vertical growth may be desirable. Remove only the minimum number of limbs or branches necessary for best effect—over-pruning can have serious consequences for both the health and the appearance of crape myrtle! It’s vitally important to avoid “topping” the plant, meaning cutting off the parts at the top of the plant growing upward. Also known as “crape murder”, topping can permanently disfigure a crape myrtle and it is almost always best avoided.
100 Days of Blossoms
Crape myrtle is a genuinely lovely plant. Its papery, peeling bark gives it a unique appearance and an tactile appeal (though you should refrain from peeling the bark away!) and its lovely cluster of blossom can last for months—up to a hundred days with a bit of care. These colorful, playful plants are a welcome sight in many gardens, and they might just be the right choice for you. If your climate permits and you’ve got some space, a crape myrtle can add a real burst of color and life to your landscaping so please consider giving them a try.
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