Crape Myrtles are a popular choice for Florida landscapes. They are wind-resistant, moderately drought-tolerant, sun-loving, low-maintenance trees that burst into color from May through September.
Many of our shoppers confess that deciding on a color is a difficult task. However, choosing your cultivar by color alone is a mistake because Crape Myrtles also come in a range of shapes and sizes, which means they may eventually outgrow the space you envisioned for them. Unlike ligustrums, loropetalums, podocarpus, and other shrubs that can be kept small by pruning, Crape Myrtles are not easy to contain. The annual “crape murder,” a common shearing practice that somewhat controls the size, is a poor solution, as it not only turns Crape Myrtles into ugly broomsticks during cool months but also weakens the tree and shortens its lifespan.
The sad irony is that Crape Myrtles grow beautifully shaped crowns naturally, so aside from selective trimming of overgrown branches and suckers, or optional clipping of berries to prolong blooming, they do not require much work.
Our advice echoes the Florida Friendly landscaping principle, “Right Tree, Right Place,” and we suggest choosing your Crape Myrtle by its expected mature size.
Fortunately, there are plenty of colors in each size category. Here are the varieties we consistently carry:
Large* (15′ to 20+’H x 15’W):
- Muskogee: Lavender
- Tuscarora: Dark Pink
- Dynamite: Red
- Natchez: White
- Tuskegee: Dark Pink
*These varieties are fast-growing with green foliage in the summer.
Intermediate (12’H x 8’W):
- Catawba: Purple blooms, green foliage
The Ebony series (below)**
- Shell Pink
- White
- Raspberry
- Purple
- Red
**Slower growing. Feature dark maroon, almost black foliage.
Dwarf (5’H x 8’W):
Enduring Summer: Red blooms, green leaves.