Crape Myrtle Trees

About

Turn summer heat into nonstop color. Crape myrtles shine when other flowering trees are taking a break. Their bloom window is a true summer feature—often mid-summer through early fall, depending on variety, weather, and region—and the plant keeps producing new flower clusters in warm, bright conditions. That makes them ideal for homeowners who want a long season of color without constantly swapping annuals, and for landscape projects that need dependable summer interest after spring bloomers fade. They’re also versatile in how you use them. Plant one as a specimen near an entry or at the corner of a lawn to create a focal point that reads from the street, or use a series to define a driveway edge or frame a view. Dwarf and compact selections can work in large containers or tight foundation beds, while multi-stem forms create a sculptural, “natural” look that softens hardscape. Because the flowers arrive during peak outdoor-living season, the impact feels immediate—more color when you’re actually outside using the space. One practical perk many people don’t plan for (but end up loving): bark and structure. Even when blooms pause between flushes, the canopy stays attractive, and as trunks mature, the bark can peel and smooth into beautiful tones that keep the plant interesting through winter. In other words, you’re not just planting for flowers—you’re planting for a four-season ornamental tree that earns its spot year-round. Choose your size, bloom color, and canopy shape. Size is the first decision, because crape myrtles range from compact shrubs to true small trees. Many commonly planted landscape cultivars fall roughly in the 10–30 ft range with a 15–25 ft spread, while older specimens can grow larger over time—so it pays to match mature scale to the site instead of “planning to prune it smaller.” Choosing the right mature size up front is one of the best ways to keep the plant healthy and the branching graceful. Growth rate is typically moderate to fast, especiall