Saturday, October 19, 2013

By Elena McDowell


The crape myrtle is one of the most liked flowering trees in the US and in Europe. They generally have large sweeping limbs that are laden with various flowers of many different colors. They range from light pink, to red, to violet and white. There are several different varieties to research if you plan to buy crape myrtle trees for different landscaping needs.

They grow roughly 25 feet tall, but over time and given enough space to branch out they could grow much taller. There are also various dwarf types available for anyone who has a smaller area or likes smaller plants to grow. They can often be found in various nurseries or online stores. Its bark is often different shades of gray that will slowly peel off during the year displaying a multi-colored trunk.

The Natchez is one of the fastest growing hybrid verities. It will often grow to a mature height of over 25 feet. The flowers are typically a bright white which bloom early and continue to bloom all year long and a rich cream colored bark. The Muskogee is very similar though has thick blooms of dark pink flowers with deep brown bark.

The Osage is smaller with the mature height being around 15 - 20 feet tall. It has large pink flowers that bloom spring to fall. It also has glossy leaves that will turn bright red during the fall. The Sioux is also similar, though has bright pink flowers and often grows better in tight and narrow places.

Growing a scant 5 to 10 feet the Acoma is a hybrid that tends to spread out horizontally. It has smallish green-gray leaves and off white flowers giving it a distinctive appearance among most shrubs and trees. The disease resistant Tonto is best known for its round natural shape and bright red flowers so many people love to see.

Sometimes someone wants to try their luck at growing dwarf plants in containers or wants a dwarf shrub for landscaping around their window. The New Orleans dwarf is one of the better examples of the tiny varieties. They are known for having a rich purple flower and a glossy violet tinted leaf. This dwarf plant grows like a small shrub and can even grow inside large hanging baskets.

Before choosing your tree, walk through the area and think about how tall it might grow in the area it will be in. The hope is for the trees to blend into any landscaping, while complementing it with shade and color. Also think about the pruning, sometimes people buy faster growing and larger trees and end up pruning them back each year until they die.

When you buy crape myrtle trees for your landscaping needs remember that the first year they are in the ground or pot, they will need plenty of water. If it is 90 or 100 degrees out, one day can dry the roots out enough to permanently damage the plant. With proper care, after the first year they have an established root system and no longer require frequent watering.




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