Crepe Myrtle and Why You Should Plant Them in Your Garden

Red Crepe Myrtle

Red Crepe Myrtle has clusters of red flowers provide a burst of shade to the landscape and draw pollinators such as butterflies and bees, promoting a healthy ecosystem. As the seasons change, the plant's foliage transitions from green to shades of orange and red, adding further visual interest. Red Crepe Myrtle is a distinctive, deciduous tree that is often easy to identify thanks to its individualized and captivating aesthetics. While they are available in a variety of flower colors, the crimson blooms stand apart with stunning flair. The tree thrives in areas ranging from the Arizona desert to the coastal Atlantic states from Florida to Massachusetts. Why should you consider planting this tree in your yard? Bring Pollinators to Your Yard With Red Crepe Myrtle It emits fragrant tree sap. This sap, as well as the blooms, draw bees and roughly 30 other insect species to your yard. These are beneficial insects that act as pollinators for the other plants in your garden. In addition, beautiful birds are drawn to both the tree and the insects that are attracted to it, making the tree a vital part of a healthy ecosystem on your property. Manage Insect Populations With Red Crepe Myrtle While they attract insects, these are generally beneficial insects that feed on other pests. By drawing these useful insects to your yard, you can dramatically and naturally reduce the number of unwanted and harmful bugs that otherwise may thrive in the space. Enhance Privacy With Red Crepe Myrtle They are trees that generally have multiple trunks that fan outward. While there are different varieties of these trees that grow to different heights, they generally reach 10 to 20 feet tall with wide branch coverage that spans 15 feet. The trees grow up to three feet each year, making them well-suited for bolstering privacy. While the trees look lovely standing in the middle of a yard, many people choose to grow them along a fence line to take advantage of their foliage. Add Brilliant Color to Your Space With Red Crepe Myrtle They have smooth bark that is usually a pinkish-gray color. The green leaves are typically small and oval-shaped, and they turn gorgeous shades of orange and yellow in the fall before falling off for the winter. The petals have a crimped look that makes the flowers look full. The yellow centers stand beautifully apart from the crimson petals.

Twilight Crepe Myrtle

Twilight Crepe Myrtle or Lagerstroemia indica is known for its stunning dark purple foliage and vibrant pink to lavender flowers, adding a striking contrast to garden landscapes. It is a popular choice in landscaping due to its numerous benefits and aesthetic appeal. This deciduous shrub, renowned for its stunning flowers and vibrant foliage, brings a range of advantages to outdoor spaces. Twilight Crepe Myrtle, also known as Lagerstroemia indica, is a tree that features gorgeous purple flowers. It also has a distinctive trunk that makes it easy to use as a living fence for your yard. The Flowers Of Twilight Crepe Myrtle The highlight of this 20-foot-tall tree is definitely its flowers. In fact, they stay in bloom for longer than most other trees, which makes them a favorite of those who adore floral accents in their yard. They have crimped petals, and each panicle grows to approximately 3 1/2 inches. Each flower is attached to five others, thereby creating six parts. The Bark and Fruit Of Twilight Crepe Myrtle The flowers typically last from July through September. After which, brown dehiscent fruits appear in a six-valved capsule. Once a capsule falls to the ground, it splits open to help more trees grow. The bark of these trees exfoliates to reveal multiple shades of gray and brown. When you combine this with the rarity of how long they bloom, you've got an eye-catching tree that will really draw people's attention. The Leaves Of Twilight Crepe Myrtle The leaves can grow in three different patterns: whorls, alternate or opposite. Either way, they grow in groups of three. In autumn, the leaves will change to a stunningly brilliant red. By that time, the flowers are gone, leaving only the fall leaves to brighten your yard. Fortunately, the entire process starts over again in the spring, so you'll get to enjoy gorgeous purple or red colors throughout most of the year. Twilight Crepe Myrtle A Home for Birds Another good reason you'll want to consider planting them is that they provide the perfect natural habitat for wrens and songbirds. Therefore, if you've ever wanted to experience a nest up close, this is the tree that will make your wish come true. These trees will also provide any lawn with a lot of vertical interest. As such, they have fantastic curb appeal. The best presentation is typically in a triangular pattern with three trees. This takes advantage of the tree's rather unusual shape. Rather than having one simple trunk, they spread out into many branches from a low-lying, close to the ground level. This creates even more visual appeal.

Muskogee Crepe Myrtle

Muskogee Crepe Myrtle is a striking deciduous shrub or small tree with vibrant lavender-pink flowers and smooth, cinnamon-colored bark, adding a burst of color and elegance to gardens and landscapes. A popular ornamental tree that offers many benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. With its stunning visual appeal, adaptability, and ease of maintenance, it has become a favored choice for many landscapers and homeowners alike. Discover the Stunning Muskogee Crepe Myrtle The Muskogee Crepe Myrtle is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to add interest, texture, and color to their landscape. Each tree consists of smooth, brown stems that fan out into a vase shape. The branches contain even rows of oval leaves that are a beautiful deep green shade. These attractive colors and textures become even more exciting when this tree blooms with lavender flowers. Its vibrant look is sure to draw the eye wherever you plant this beautiful tree. The Beautiful Flowers and Berries of the Muskogee Crepe Myrtle Starting in spring, these trees begin to produce cone-shaped bunches of flowers. Each flower cluster consists of several small, individual, pinkish-purple petals with a crinkled appearance similar to tissue paper. After going through their flowering season, these trees produce clumps of berries that add even more visual interest to the tree. Clumps of small, round berries on the end of each branch gradually transform from shiny, green berries to brown, serrated seed pods. The flowering and berry-producing seasons of this tree can last for several months because it tends to produce new flowers on a regular basis. Explore the Many Ways to Garden With the Muskogee Crepe Myrtle These trees have endless purposes throughout the landscape. A tidy row of them can be a lovely way to border a walkway or fill in narrow strips of land. Standalone versions can be a focal point on a lawn and look great, bordered with other flowers or decorative grasses. You can even use clusters of these trees to create a hedge that provides privacy and shade. The Versatile and Appealing Shape of the Muskogee Crepe Myrtle It comes in many shapes and sizes. Some landscapers choose to keep it as a compact bush, while others let it soar to a height of 30 feet or more. Those who prefer a classic tree shape can choose a single-trunk variant, while people who like a denser look can select a multi-stem style. Whatever height and branch arrangement it has, this tree's crown tends to spread out into a horizontal, oval shape with densely packed leaves and branches.

Pink Crepe Myrtle

Pink Crepe Myrtle is a deciduous shrub or small tree with vibrant, pink crepe-paper-like flowers and smooth, cinnamon-colored bark, often used for ornamental landscaping. With its captivating beauty and versatile characteristics, they offer many advantages when incorporated into landscaping endeavors. Its unique attributes provide a harmonious blend of aesthetic, ecological, and practical benefits, making it a cherished choice among landscape designers and homeowners. The pink crepe myrtle is a beautiful addition to any yard thanks to its large, colorful blooms and standout look. This is a type of deciduous tree that grows well in a variety of conditions, making it well-suited for enhancing aesthetics in many yards. If you decide to plant this distinctive tree in your yard, you can enjoy several exciting benefits. What are these benefits? Vibrant Colors Of The Pink Crepe Myrtle It has long-lasting blooms that cover most of the surface area of the leafy branches. The branches can grow up to 15 feet in diameter, so this colorful tree can be a focal space in the yard. The colors of the flowers range from baby rose to fuchsia, carnation, hot, and other rosy shades. In addition, the slightly rounded leaves are deep green, and the bark has a pinkish-gray hue. The bark is generally smooth and mottled, which adds to its fascinating look. Enhanced Pollination Of The Pink Crepe Myrtle Many types of plants rely on pollinating insects and birds. The flowers on this tree have a strong fragrance. In addition, the bark emits sap, and these two elements combine to attract up to 30 pollinator species to the yard. Pollinators are beneficial insects and birds that have a solid impact on the overall health of your yard’s small ecosystem. Diminished Pests With The Pink Crepe Myrtle Many of the birds and insects that are drawn to these trees are beneficial in other ways. For example, these bugs and birds often feast on the various damaging pests in a yard. By managing the population of unwanted pests, your plants can enjoy an overall healthier environment. More Privacy Is Available With The Pink Crepe Myrtle Many homes are built close to each other, allowing direct views from the windows and porch of one house to those of another. This lack of privacy erodes the comfortable living experience in the home. The myrtle trees often grow up to 20 feet tall and have dense, bushy branches. When the tree is in full bloom, it may be impossible to see through the flowers and branches. Because the tree grows well above the height of a privacy fence, privacy reaches a new level.