Crepe myrtles, also known as Lagerstroemia indica, are popular in gardens for their paper-like petals that resemble crepe and beautiful bark. These trees or shrubs love full sun and well-drained soil, with a growth rate that can reach 6 to 30 feet high, depending on the variety chosen. They bloom from July to September with showy flowers in various colors: red, pink, white, and fuchsia.
Crepe myrtles can be used as hedges, privacy screens, or street trees. They attract bees and other pollinators and protect birds. These plants are generally resistant to deer, drought, and pollution. In terms of zones, they can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9.
If you're considering a crepe myrtle for your garden, here are four benefits you can expect. With proper maintenance on your end, you should notice these results:
Crepe Myrtle Trees Have Beautiful Flowers
Opt for red or white blooms. In certain soil conditions, the red blooms can take on a more pink appearance, even almost resembling a fuchsia hue. If you're looking for beautiful bright color, you will love the red blooms. White flowering crepe myrtles create a cleaner and more polished look in your yard.
Add the beautiful crepe myrtle trees to either commercial or residential properties to improve curb appeal. Their colorful, full blooms also look lovely next to driveways and pools. No matter where you place a crepe myrtle, look forward to many years of vibrant foliage each summer.
Crepe Myrtle Can Help Lower Your Energy Bills!
Yes, crepe myrtles can reduce energy bills! When planted next to commercial and residential properties, the branches from these trees and their blooms provide a lot of shade, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by buildings, therefore lowering cooling and heating costs.
Medicinal Benefits of the Crepe Myrtle
The crepe myrtle tree can also improve your health.
These trees contain compounds that can help prevent cancer cell growth and maintain bone health. The antioxidants and flavonoids present in crepe myrtle contribute to its anti-cancer properties, while the plant's rich mineral content supports bone strength and density.
If you grind the crepe myrtle flowers, you can apply them to minor burns or cuts for immediate relief. If you want to look deeper into chemistry, you can learn how to boil the flowers and use the resulting oil to treat the common cold!
Crepe myrtles have been linked with abilities to combat kidney issues, obesity, and symptoms associated with diabetes. Crepe myrtle is also used traditionally to address digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, and urinary conditions.
The plant's compounds can help prevent premature aging, lower blood cholesterol levels, and aid in maintaining a healthy heart.
Crepe Myrtle Trees Are Perfect for Bird Watching
During summer and into early fall, you can expect to see crepe myrtle blooms most of the time. You have even more reasons to consider crepe myrtles if you are a bird lover.
The nature unfolding doesn't come to an end in colder months, so birds typically love to feast on the crepe myrtle tree's seeds each winter. Cardinals, finches, juncos, and sparrows are known to feed off of crepe myrtles.
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