Crape Myrtle has long been a staple of southern landscapes, it is amongst the most popular landscape trees in Virginia, North & South Carolina and northern Florida. Improved hardiness has brought the tree up north to New Jersey landscapes and what a wonderful addition they are. Best known for mid-summer flowers in wide variety of shades, the tree has a number of additional wonderful characteristics. The bark is beautiful, smooth and as it ages increasingly colorful with deep burgandy acccents in many varieties. At first look it seems as though there is no bark becuase it is so smooth, although some varieties do have exfoliating bark. The tree naturally looses lower branches so the bark becomes more prominent. The glossy leaves are quite attractive and a number of varieties the newest leaves are shades of burgandy. A number of varieties have excellent fall color. The flowers are exceptionally beautiful. It is still best to avoid the full winter exposure of a northwestern location, so look for an eastern or southeastern spot to plant these wonderful trees.

Tuscarora Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Tuscarora'

Catawba Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'