Crepe Myrtles, the Flowering Tree of the South

The crepe myrtle is one of the iconic flowering trees of the southern part of the United States. It grows as a shrub in its native China and Korea, but 200 years or so of husbandry have helped it turn into a full blown tree.

Types of Crepe Myrtle
There are many species, but three basic kinds of this plant grow in America. Japanese Crepe Myrtle grows to 30 feet in height and width. It has nice looking bark and white flowers and may bloom twice in a year. The regular crepe myrtle tolerates heat and is is most common of the three. It can be a shrub or a tree, and has varied colored flowers that bloom all summer. Queen's crepe Myrtle has the largest clusters of white, pink and purple flowers. Leaves are bright red in the fall, but if there is a sudden frost it can wipe out the fall colors quickly.

Caring for the plants
Crepe Myrtle are hardy plants and will grow in almost any kind of soil if it is well drained. They are resilient in heat and humidity, and most will withstand cold winters when they do happen in the south. They need to be pruned in winter to keep the shape you want, and to keep flowering well. The trees should be planted in sunny areas with room to breathe.

History
The Crepe Myrtle was a bush in China, Korea and Japan. It was brought to Britain in 1759 from China, but did not do well. It refused to bloom at all due to cooler weather. Andre Michaux brought it to Charleston, S.C., in 1786 and it took off immediately. They found it bloomed with bright flowers all summer long, and it became a hit that has continued through the south to this day.