Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) are attractive ornamental shrubs with elegant, colorful, and fragrant flowers. These stunning plants are also known for their lovely leaves and beautiful peeling bark. In this article, we’ll find out whether crape myrtles are evergreen.
Are Crape Myrtles Evergreen?
Most crape myrtles are deciduous, especially the popular types such as the common crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). A few wild species are evergreen, but most of the genus is deciduous. Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves during the winter before growing them back the next season.
The Life Cycle of Crape Myrtles
Crape myrtles are native to parts of Asia, Australia, and the Indian Subcontinent. They are also naturalized across the United States, particularly in the South in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Crape myrtles grow as deciduous shrubs or small trees. They grow between 20 and 30 feet tall and about 10 to 15 feet wide. Crape myrtles are fast-growing plants that increase in size by approximately 2 to 3 feet each year in ideal conditions.
Crape myrtles lose all their leaves and go dormant over the winter. In spring, the plant becomes active again and regrows its leaves.
When Are Crape Myrtles In Season?
Crape myrtles flower from summer until fall, producing masses of elegant, crepe-like flowers. These blooms come in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. During the fall, crape myrtle leaves change color, producing attractive shades of yellow and red.
Once the flowers finish and the leaves have dropped, the main feature of a crape myrtle becomes its attractive bark. Mature crape myrtle plants display beautiful peeling bark during the winter. The peeling bark creates shades of cream, white, gray, brown, and red.
How Long Do Crape Myrtles Last?
Most crape myrtles plants live for about 25 to 50 years, although some specimens live for almost a century. Deciduous trees typically live for several decades, while evergreen plants can live for hundreds of years. Crape myrtles may also have a shorter lifespan due to their fast growth rate.
Crape myrtles can take several years to reach maturity. Most crape myrtles take 5 to 10 years to grow to their full height. Crape myrtles also take a few years to become well-established. Established crape myrtles require less maintenance than newly planted specimens.
How to Care For Crape Myrtle
Growing Environment
Crape myrtles thrive in Zones 6 to 9 and require sheltered locations to protect them from strong winds. Most crape myrtles can survive winter temperatures as low as -5ºF. In colder climates, grow crape myrtles in containers and protect them by wrapping them in fleece or bringing them indoors.
Sunlight Requirements
Crape myrtles need at least six hours of full sun every day. The morning sun is preferable to direct afternoon sunlight, which is more intense. South or west-facing locations provide crape myrtles with the ideal amount of sunlight.
Soil Conditions
Crape myrtles require well-draining soils that still hold a bit of moisture. They can survive in nutrient-poor soils and are drought-tolerant once established. Crape myrtles prefer slightly acidic soils with pH levels between 5.0 and 6.5.
Watering
Water established crape myrtles every two weeks or so to keep the soil moist and more frequently in hot, dry conditions. Water newly planted crape myrtles once or twice weekly for the first few years. This helps the plant establish a good root system.
Fertilizer
Feed older crape myrtles once during the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. This provides plenty of nutrients for the development of new leaves and flowers. Fertilize newly planted crape myrtles once a month during their first growing season.
Pruning & Trimming
Crape myrtles vary in size, impacting how often you want to prune them. Dwarf varieties won’t need much pruning because they only grow between 2 and 6 feet tall. However, some types of crape myrtle grow as shrubs or small trees that reach approximately 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
Rather than pruning too often, assess your garden first and determine what type of crape myrtle you can accommodate. Choose a crape myrtle that stays at a manageable size for your space. This allows you to reduce the pruning you’ll need to do.
Evergreen Crape Myrtles FAQs:
Do Crape Myrtles Lose Their Leaves During the Winter?
Most crape myrtles are deciduous shrubs, which means they lose all their leaves during the winter. Deciduous plants shed leaves to conserve energy and protect themselves against strong winds.
What Do Crape Myrtles Look Like in Winter?
During the winter, crape myrtles lose all their leaves. However, this allows the beautiful peeling bark to steal the show. Crape myrtle bark displays attractive shades of red, brown, cream, and white.
Are Crape Myrtles Hard to Maintain?
Crape myrtles are low-maintenance plants that aren’t hard to maintain. They thrive in Zones 6 to 9 with full sun and well-draining soils.
Wrapping Up
Most crape myrtles are deciduous shrubs or trees that lose their leaves during the winter. Crape myrtles provide beauty throughout the year thanks to their leaves, flowers, and peeling bark during the winter.
For more, see our in-depth guides to crape myrtle deer resistance and whether crape myrtles are toxic to humans and animals.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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