Crape Myrtle Trees

Crape Myrtle Trees Deliver Color from Summer to Fall

When you're looking for a tree that delivers months of non-stop blooms, captivating fall foliage, and beautiful peeling bark, a crape myrtle tree is exactly what your landscape needs. Whether you call them crepe myrtle or crape myrtle, these woody plants (Lagerstroemia) are undisputed champions of the summer garden. We carry a curated collection of crape myrtle trees in multiple sizes, colors, and growth habits so you can find the perfect specimen for your yard.

About Crape Myrtle Trees

Crape myrtles belong to the Lagerstroemia genus and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10, depending on the variety you choose. These trees are native to Southeast Asia and have become beloved across America for their reliability and multi-season appeal. You'll often see both "crape myrtle" and "crepe myrtle" used interchangeably, and both spellings refer to the same beautiful plant.

What makes crape myrtle trees so special is their extended blooming season. Most varieties produce delicate, ruffled flowers from early summer through fall, sometimes for 100 days or more. The flower colors range from pure white to soft pink, vibrant red, coral, purple, and magenta. Beyond blooms, these trees offer exfoliating bark that creates visual interest year-round, especially in winter when the cinnamon, tan, or gray tones really shine through.

Crape myrtles also adapt well to a wide range of conditions. They're drought-tolerant once established, perform well in hot climates, and actually bloom better in areas with warm summers. Heights vary significantly by variety, from dwarf crepe myrtle tree forms reaching 6 to 8 feet to larger specimens that can stretch 25 to 30 feet tall. This diversity means there's a lagerstroemia tree for nearly any landscape situation.

Popular Crape Myrtle Varieties We Carry

At Nature Hills Nursery, we stock many of the most sought-after crape myrtle trees for sale. The Black Diamond® collection includes some of our bestsellers: the Crimson Red™ with deep red blooms, the Mystic Magenta™ offering bold magenta flowers, the Purely Purple™ delivering lavender-purple color, and the Pure White™ variety for those wanting pristine white blooms. If you're after a fast-growing crape myrtle, the Dynamite® tree combines rapid growth with bright red flowers that emerge early in the season.

For gardeners seeking tried-and-true heritage varieties, we recommend the Natchez, Muskogee, Sioux, and Catawba cultivars. Each brings distinct flower colors and growth characteristics that have made them popular for decades. Smaller selections like Cotton Candy and Pink Velour® offer softer color palettes, while Black Diamond® Red Hot™ and Red Velvet deliver bold statement color. Whether you're looking for a red crepe myrtle tree, a pink crape myrtle tree, or white lagerstroemia varieties, our selection covers the spectrum.

Where Crape Myrtles Shine in Your Landscape

Crape myrtle trees work beautifully as specimen plants where you want the focus on one gorgeous focal point. Plant a large variety near your patio or seating area to enjoy the blooms up close and appreciate the exfoliating bark texture in winter. Smaller varieties fit nicely in foundation plantings or containers, making them perfect for limited spaces.

These trees also excel in mass plantings. When grouped together, multiple crape myrtles create a powerful color display and soften the harsh lines of fences or property boundaries. Because they're naturally somewhat multi-stemmed, they work well integrated into shrub borders where their height and persistent blooms add needed vertical interest.

Caring for Your Crape Myrtle Trees

Crape myrtles are refreshingly low-maintenance once they get their roots established. Here's what they need to thrive:

Full sun (6+ hours daily) for maximum blooming
Well-draining soil, though they're adaptable to various soil types
Water regularly during the first growing season, then reduce frequency as the tree matures
Avoid heavy pruning in late summer; light pruning in late winter is fine
No deadheading necessary, though you can remove spent flower clusters if desired
Fertilize lightly in spring if soil is poor

Because these trees are naturally shaped beautifully, you can let them grow into their natural form. If you do prune, save major cuts for late winter when the tree's dormant.

Nature Hills Is Here to Help

As a family-owned and operated company and America's largest online plant nursery, we're committed to getting your crape myrtle trees to you healthy and ready to thrive. Every tree ships at the optimal time for your region, and we back everything with our Plant Sentry guarantee. Browse our complete lagerstroemia collection today, or explore our Crape Myrtle Shrubs for smaller landscape needs.

FAQ's for Buying Crape Myrtle Trees Online

Can I grow crepe myrtle trees in cold climates?

Absolutely. While tender varieties are best in zones 7 and warmer, cold-hardy selections like Sioux thrive in zone 5. Check the hardiness rating on your specific variety to ensure it'll survive your winters.

What's the difference between crepe and crape myrtle?

They're the same plant. Crepe is the original spelling, referencing the crepe paper-like flower texture, while crape is a modern variant. Both refer to Lagerstroemia, and you'll see both used on plant labels and in nursery descriptions.

Do crape myrtles need fertilizer?

Not usually, especially if you're planting in decent soil. A light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring helps if your soil is particularly poor. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leafy growth at the expense of blooms.

Why didn't my crepe myrtle bloom?

The most common reason is insufficient sunlight. These trees really need six or more hours of direct sun to produce abundant flowers. Cool summers can also delay blooming. If your tree is newly planted, it might need another year to settle in before reaching full flowering potential.

When should I prune my lagerstroemia tree?

Late winter is ideal, just before new growth emerges. Light pruning to remove deadwood or shape the tree is all most people need. Avoid severe pruning, which removes flowering wood and can damage the tree's natural form.