The crepe myrtle is a Chinese native that has gained popularity worldwide, but nowhere so much as in the American South, where the long, languid summers can extend the blooming season to as long as six months.Known for its exuberant flowers, the crepe myrtle is also a diverse plant that provides visual interest in every season. Depending on the variety, leaves are either round or long and sword-shaped. New growth is sometimes bronze or bright red in color. The long, grape-like clusters of flowers consist of hundreds of individual blooms in white, pink, lavender, purple or red. Blooming usually begins in April or May and extends until the fall. The crepe myrtle has a distinct bark that peels away in unique and interesting patterns, revealing the new bark below. When the leaves drop in wintertime, the crepe myrtle becomes a living sculpture.Cultivate crepe myrtle in full sun as a shrub or small tree and water deeply only during periods of drought. Use it as an accent tree in bright gardens or place several specimens together to form an attractive hedge or border. Planting the crepe myrtle against a backdrop of evergreens highlights the luxurious flowers and striking bark.
