Few plants capture the beauty of a Southern landscape quite like the Crepe Myrtle. Often called the “Lilac of the South,” Crepe Myrtles provide months of vibrant blooms, attractive bark, beautiful fall color, and exceptional heat tolerance. Whether you’re looking for a colorful focal point, a flowering privacy screen, or a tree that thrives in our Georgia and North Florida climate, there’s a Crepe Myrtle variety perfect for your landscape.

At Esposito Garden Center, we carry a wide selection of Crepe Myrtles in various colors and sizes to fit almost any landscape design.

Purple & Lavender Varieties

Muskogee

Muskogee is one of the most popular lavender varieties available. It produces large clusters of soft lavender blooms throughout the summer and develops beautiful cinnamon-colored bark as it matures. This fast-growing variety can reach heights of 20 to 25 feet, making it an excellent choice for shade, street plantings, or large landscape focal points.

Catawba

For homeowners looking for deeper, richer color, Catawba is hard to beat. This variety produces stunning dark purple blooms and typically reaches 10 to 15 feet tall. Its more compact size makes it ideal for smaller yards while still providing an impressive summer display.

White Varieties

Natchez

Natchez is considered one of the finest white Crepe Myrtles available. It features large clusters of pure white flowers and some of the most beautiful exfoliating bark of any variety, revealing shades of cinnamon and cream as it matures. Growing 20 to 30 feet tall, Natchez makes an excellent specimen tree and is highly resistant to powdery mildew.

Acoma

Acoma offers elegant white blooms on a more compact, gently weeping form. Growing approximately 8 to 12 feet tall, this variety works beautifully in smaller landscapes, near patios, or as an accent planting where its graceful shape can truly be appreciated.

Red Varieties

Miss Frances

Miss Frances produces deep red blooms that create a bold statement in the landscape. Reaching approximately 10 to 15 feet tall, it provides excellent color throughout the heat of summer and is an outstanding choice for adding vibrant contrast to your landscape beds.

Red Rocket

As the name suggests, Red Rocket grows quickly and produces striking bright red blooms. This variety can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet and makes an excellent shade tree or large accent specimen.

Tonto

Tonto is one of the most popular semi-dwarf red varieties available. Growing approximately 8 to 12 feet tall, it produces rich fuchsia-red flowers and excellent burgundy-red fall foliage, making it attractive during multiple seasons of the year.

Pink & Coral Varieties

Tuscarora

Tuscarora is famous for its gorgeous coral-pink blooms that almost appear tropical in color. Growing 15 to 20 feet tall, it provides exceptional summer color and develops attractive peeling bark as it matures.

Sioux

Sioux produces soft medium-pink flowers and has one of the longest bloom periods of any Crepe Myrtle. It typically matures at 15 to 20 feet tall and offers excellent disease resistance along with beautiful orange-red fall color.

Planting Crepe Myrtles

Proper planting is the key to decades of beautiful blooms.

Crepe Myrtles thrive in full sun and should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. More sunlight results in heavier flowering and improved disease resistance.

When planting:

• Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
• Position the top of the root ball level with or slightly above surrounding soil.
• Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
• Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base while keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.

Because Crepe Myrtles are extremely drought tolerant once established, they make excellent low-maintenance additions to Southern landscapes.

Fertilizing Crepe Myrtles

A healthy fertilization program can dramatically improve growth and flowering.

At Esposito Garden Center, we recommend feeding Crepe Myrtles with our 13-6-6 Slow Release Fertilizer. Apply fertilizer around:

• St. Patrick’s Day
• Mother’s Day
• Labor Day

This schedule provides nutrients throughout the growing season and encourages strong growth, vibrant foliage, and abundant blooms.

For newly planted trees, regular watering during the first growing season is equally important. Once established, Crepe Myrtles become remarkably drought tolerant.

Pruning Crepe Myrtles

One of the biggest misconceptions about Crepe Myrtles is that they need aggressive annual pruning. In reality, less is often more.

Avoid the practice commonly known as “Crepe Murder,” where large branches are severely topped each winter. This improper pruning leads to weak growth, poor structure, and unattractive plants.

Instead:

• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches during late winter.
• Lightly thin interior growth to improve air circulation.
• Remove small suckers emerging from the base if desired.
• Maintain the tree’s natural shape whenever possible.

Properly pruned Crepe Myrtles develop beautiful branching structures, stronger trunks, and better flowering displays year after year.

A Tree for Every Landscape

Whether you prefer the soft lavender blooms of Muskogee, the elegant white flowers of Natchez, the bold reds of Red Rocket, or the tropical coral tones of Tuscarora, there is a Crepe Myrtle variety that can transform your landscape.

With their long bloom season, attractive bark, beautiful fall color, and easy-care nature, it’s easy to understand why Crepe Myrtles remain one of the South’s most beloved ornamental trees.

Visit Esposito Garden Center to explore our current selection and let our team help you choose the perfect Crepe Myrtle for your home and landscape.