Crepe myrtles (aka Lagerstroeomia Indica) are a deciduous tree and are beautiful trees that can add a lot of interest to your landscape. These trees are available in a wide range of colours, and they have an attractive bark that peels away in layers. Crepe myrtle trees produce large flowers in summer that attract bees and butterflies. Crepe myrtles are also deciduous, vase-shaped tree. If you are looking for a tree that is easy to care for and provides year-round interest, then crepe myrtle is a great choice!

Overview

1. What you need to know about Crepe Myrtles
2. Crepe myrtles are Hardy Trees
3. Planting a Crepe Myrtle
4. Drought Tolerant plants
5. How and when to prune crepe myrtle?
6. How to propagate Crepe Myrtle?
7. Transplanting Crepe Myrtle Trees
8. Are Crepe Myrtles a Deciduous tree or an Evergreen Tree?
9. What does Lagerstroemia indica look like at full maturity? 
10. Are there any concerns I should know about with crepe myrtles
11. Varieties

What you need to know about Crepe Myrtles

Native to Eastern Asia, crepe myrtle trees were introduced to Australia in the early 1800s and have been growing in popularity ever since. They are excellent feature trees and good choices for street trees. The most popular varieties in Australia are the Natchez and Tuscarora, which have beautiful white and pink flowers, respectively.

Crepe myrtles are Hardy Trees

Crepe Myrtles are hardy trees that can tolerate a wide range of climates and soil conditions. In fact, these trees are so tough that they are often used as street trees in many cities across the country. One of the reasons why Crepe Myrtle trees are so popular is because they are relatively easy to grow and they are attractive trees with an attractive trunk.

Planting a Crepe Myrtle

When planting Crepe Myrtle, it is important to choose a location that receives full sun. These trees also prefer well-drained soil, so be sure to amend your soil with some organic matter before planting. Crepe Myrtle trees are not particularly fussy, and they will grow in almost any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

 

Drought Tolerant plants

Another reason why crepe myrtle trees are so popular is that they are very drought tolerant. Once established, these trees can tolerate long periods of drought with ease. This makes them perfect for those hot, dry summers that are so common in many parts of the country.

 

How and when to prune Crepe Myrtle?

When it comes to pruning crepe myrtle trees, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, it is important to prune crepe myrtles during the dormant season (winter). This will help ensure that your tree stays healthy and vigorous. Secondly, you should never prune more than one-third of the tree's overall growth. Doing so will weak the tree and make it more susceptible to disease and pests.

 

How to propagate Crepe Myrtle?

If you want to propagate crepe myrtle trees, there are a few different methods you can use. One of the easiest ways to do this is through softwood cuttings. To take softwood cuttings, simply choose a young branch that is about the thickness of a pencil. Cut the branch into sections that are about six inches long, and then remove the bottom leaves from each section. Next, dip the cuttings in rooting hormone, and plant them in a pot filled with well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, and in a few weeks, you should see new growth emerging from the cuttings.

Transplanting Crepe Myrtle Trees

Crepe myrtles are also bare-rooted plants, which means they can be transplanted easily. So if you are looking for a tree that is easy to move, the crepe myrtle is a good option. With crepe myrtles being bare-rooted it also means that they have a very good chance of survival.

Bare rooted plants are also easier to handle and plant. They are less likely to be damaged when being transplanted and can be planted in a wider range of areas.

Are Crepe Myrtles a Deciduous tree or an Evergreen Tree?

Crepe myrtles are deciduous trees, which means they lose their leaves in winter. However, they are often mistaken for evergreen trees because of their attractive bark.

One of the benefits of deciduous trees is that they provide shade in summer and sun in winter. This can be helpful in regulating the temperature of your home. Deciduous trees also tend to be more drought tolerant than evergreens, so they are a good choice for hot, dry climates.

 

What does Lagerstroemia indica look like at full maturity? 

At full maturity, Lagerstroemia indica trees are generally pyramid-shaped with a mottled trunk, a natural shape with green leaves, and large green foliage. They can grow to be anywhere from 20 to 30 feet tall, and they have a spread of about 15 to 25 feet. These trees are relatively fast-growing, so they will reach their full size in a few years. And because they are drought-tolerant, they are a good choice for hot, dry climates. Crepe myrtles are beautiful trees that can add a lot of interest to your landscape. These trees are available in a wide range of colors, and they have an attractive bark that peels away in layers. In late summer to late spring, crepe myrtle trees produce large flower heads that attract bees and butterflies. 

Are there any concerns I should know about with crepe myrtles?

One problem to be aware of with Lagerstroemia Indica is that they are prone to fungal disease. This fungal disease is called Powdery Mildew and it can cause the leaves of the crepe myrtle to turn yellow and fall off. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to contact us for advice on how to treat the problem. Other than that, crepe myrtles are relatively easy to grow and care for. 

Varieties

There are many different varieties of crepe myrtle trees that grow many different branches of flowers that come in a wide range of colours including pink, red, mauve flowers or white colour in summer through to late autumn. Some of the most popular crepe myrtle varieties with various flower colours include:

Lagersroemia Indica 'Zuni' (pink flowers)

Lagersroemia Indica 'Zuni' is a popular variety of crepe myrtle tree with beautiful pink flowers. It is an easy to care for and low-maintenance tree that can tolerate a wide range of climates and soil conditions. This variety produces clusters of vibrant pink flowers throughout summer and its bark peels away in layers, giving it a distinctive look. 

Lagerstroemia Indica Natchez (white flowers)

The Lagerstroemia Indica Natchez is one of the most popular crepe myrtle varieties in Australia. This tree produces beautiful white flowers that bloom in late summer and have attractive cinnamon-colored bark that peels off in sheets. It is drought-tolerant and can grow up to 6 meters tall, making it a popular choice as a feature tree in landscapes.

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Tonto' (pink flowers)

The Lagerstroemia Indica 'Tonto' is a small to medium-sized crepe myrtle variety that produces stunning pink flowers that bloom in late summer. This tree is known for its attractive bark and green foliage. It is drought-tolerant but requires daily watering to prevent fungal diseases and ensure healthy growth.

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Tuscarora' (deep pink flowers)

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Tuscarora' is a stunning variety of crepe myrtle tree that produces large, deep-pink flowers in late summer. This tree has an attractive bark that peels away in layers and lush green foliage that provides shade in the summer. It is drought-tolerant, but regular watering is recommended to avoid fungal diseases and ensure healthy growth. 

Lagerstroemia Indica fauriei (purple crepe myrtle)

The Lagerstroemia Indica fauriei is a medium-sized crepe myrtle variety that produces stunning purple flowers in late summer. This tree has an attractive bark and foliage, and it is a popular choice for gardens and parks due to its vibrant colour. It is very drought tolerant but requires regular watering to prevent fungal diseases and ensure healthy growth.

Lagerstroemia Indica speciosa (pink flowers)

The Lagerstroemia Indica speciosa is a small to medium-sized crepe myrtle variety that produces beautiful pink flowers in summer. This tree has an attractive bark and green foliage and is known for its vibrant colour and fragrant blooms. It is drought tolerant but needs daily watering to prevent fungal diseases and ensure healthy growth.

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Lipan' (lavender pink flowers)

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Lipan' is a stunning variety of crepe myrtle tree that produces vibrant lavender pink flowers in late summer. This tree has an attractive bark and lush green foliage, making it a popular choice as a feature tree in landscapes. It is drought-tolerant but requires daily watering to prevent fungal diseases and ensure healthy growth. 

Lagerstroemia indica 'sioux' (mauve flowers)

The Lagerstroemia indica 'sioux' is a small to medium-sized crepe myrtle variety that produces stunning mauve flowers in late summer. This tree has an attractive bark and lush green foliage, making it a popular choice as a feature tree in landscaping projects. 

View our range of Lagerstroemia Indica / Crepe Myrtles below: 

- Lagersroemia Indica 'Zuni'(Pink Flower) 

- Lagerstroemia Indica Natchez (White Flowers)

-  Lagerstroemia indica 'Tonto' (Pink Flowers)

- Full range here