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Index : Landscape Plants
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- 40. Crape Myrtle Tree - Beautiful in Summer and Winter - Top
- If your looking for a tree to provide year-round beauty, look no further! The crape myrtle, in my estimation, is one of the best ornamental trees for residential landscapes.
Although crape myrtle is generally thought of as a tree of the Deep South, in many ways it is better suited to the Southwest. That's because in our dry climate it is not plagued by powdery mildew and other disease problems.
The tree gets it's name from the appearance of the flower petals that are crinkled, resembling crape paper. Large 6 inch bloom clusters grace the ends of nearly all branches. Colors are vibrant, nearly electric, in pinks, lavenders and whites. The flowers are truly outstanding. Trees bloom continuously from spring through fall.
Probably the reason crape myrtle is not more commonly used is that they loose their leaves during the winter months. However, the shedding of leaves in the fall reveals sinuous branching and a form that is truly a living sculpture. The smooth bark of branches and trunk varies in color from pale cream to dark cinnamon to rich brown. And rare to the desert, this tree has beautiful fall foliage. In late November, leaves turn shades of brilliant yellow, orange, and red.
When shopping for a crape myrtle, choose a plant while it is flowering. That way you will be able to select the flower color you want. Tree forms are available at garden centers and nurseries. They have been pruned to create one strong central trunk. There are also low-branched, multiple trunked crape myrtle available, but these should be grown as shrubs.
The tree form of crape myrtle will grow to a maximum height of 15 to 20 feet tall and a spread of 10 to 15 feet. It's an ideal tree for small yards and particularly well-suited as a patio tree. The crape myrtle flowers best in full-sun locations, but will tolerate light shade. Deep shade locations are not recommended, because the tree will not flower well and will be prone to developing powdery mildew disease.
Newly planted crape myrtle should be watered daily for the first few weeks to aid establishment. Watering should then be gradually reduced in frequency. During the winter when the tree is dormant, water occasionally to keep the soil from drying out completely. In the spring as temperatures warm, begin watering at regular intervals. Crape Myrtle are drought tolerant, but more frequent watering will stimulate growth.
Twice-yearly crape myrtle should be heavily watered to leach out any excess salts from the soil. High levels of naturally occurring salts or a build-up of salts from irrigation water can harm crape myrtle. The best time to leach excess salts out of the soil is in the spring and again in the fall.
Crape Myrtle generally requires little pruning. Suckers or water sprouts may develop along the lower portions of the trunk or from the roots. These should be removed with using crape myrtles as trees. Tip pruning to remove old flower clusters will promote additional blooming. Small twiggy growth should be thinned out from underneath and within the canopy.
Finally, the only pest problem likely to be encountered on crape myrtle is the occasional appearance of aphid insects on the new growth. Aphids are soft-bodied, usually green insects that suck plant fluids and secrete a sticky substance called honeydew. They can be easily controlled by washing them off with a strong spray of water, or by applying a mild soap spray.
If you like trees with lots of color and character, check out the crape myrtle. It may be just the tree your looking for to add to your home landscape this fall.
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Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture, the University of Arizona.
Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on September 17, 2000.
- Updated: September 17,2000
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