Crape myrtles are admired flowering trees and shrubs, celebrated for their vibrant summer blooms. White crape myrtles offer a distinct appeal, providing a clean, sophisticated aesthetic. Their pristine white flowers contrast strikingly against green foliage.
Key Features of White Crape Myrtles
White crape myrtles are prized for their extended blooming season, typically from summer into fall. They thrive in hot climates. Their clean, crisp white blooms create an aesthetically pleasing focal point, effective in “moon gardens” where flowers glow in the evening. Many white crape myrtles also feature distinctive exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal mottled patterns in shades of cinnamon, gray, or tan, for year-round visual interest.
Many white crape myrtle cultivars offer attractive fall foliage, with leaves transforming into hues of orange and red. Modern breeding has improved crape myrtle varieties, including white-flowered types, enhancing disease resistance, particularly against powdery mildew. This resilience maintains plant health. Their robust nature and multi-seasonal appeal contribute to their widespread desirability.
Popular White Crape Myrtle Varieties
Natchez
‘Natchez’ is a popular white crape myrtle, known for its large size and robust nature, maturing to 20 to 30 feet tall with a 15 to 25-foot spread in an upright, vase-shaped habit. Its pure white, crinkled flowers appear in abundant clusters from mid-summer through early fall. It exhibits excellent resistance to powdery mildew. The smooth, cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark adds significant winter interest, and its glossy green leaves turn vibrant orange and red in autumn. This variety is hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Acoma
‘Acoma’ is a semi-dwarf white crape myrtle, distinguished by its graceful, weeping growth habit and mature size of about 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. It produces pure white, ruffled flowers in profuse clusters from early to late summer. This cultivar boasts strong resistance to powdery mildew, maintaining a healthy appearance. The smooth, peeling bark reveals attractive cream, olive, and gray tones, while its glossy dark green leaves often develop purple-red fall color. ‘Acoma’ is hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Sarah’s Favorite
‘Sarah’s Favorite’ is a striking white crape myrtle, typically growing 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide with an upright, spreading canopy. It showcases abundant panicles of elegant white flowers from mid-summer through early fall, often blooming for 90 to 100 days. This variety is noted for its excellent resistance to disease and drought. The smooth, mottled bark exfoliates to reveal appealing tones of gray, tan, and cinnamon, for year-round visual appeal. Its rich green foliage transforms into a blazing orange-red in the fall. ‘Sarah’s Favorite’ is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10.
Early Bird White
‘Early Bird White’ is a compact crape myrtle recognized for its exceptionally early and long blooming season, often starting in late spring and continuing until the first frost. This deciduous shrub or small tree reaches 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It produces abundant clusters of pure white flowers that rebloom throughout the summer. It demonstrates good disease and pest resistance, including powdery mildew. Its gray-brown bark exfoliates with age, and its fresh green foliage can sometimes turn golden yellow in the fall. This variety is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 10.
Choosing the Best White Variety for Your Landscape
Selecting the right white crape myrtle involves considering several factors to ensure it thrives and meets your landscape goals. Mature size is a primary consideration, as choosing a variety that fits the available space helps avoid future pruning challenges. Varieties range from large trees like ‘Natchez’ to smaller shrubs like ‘Early Bird White’, allowing for diverse applications.
Crape myrtles require full sun exposure to produce abundant blooms, so a location receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily is ideal. Matching the plant’s USDA hardiness zone to your local climate ensures it can withstand winter temperatures. Prioritizing varieties with documented resistance to powdery mildew is practical, especially in humid environments, to maintain plant health and appearance.
Beyond size and environmental needs, consider the plant’s aesthetic contributions, such as the color and pattern of its exfoliating bark and any noteworthy fall foliage color. The intended purpose in your landscape also guides selection; a larger variety might serve as a specimen tree or shade provider, while smaller cultivars work well in foundation plantings or containers. By evaluating these characteristics, you can select a white crape myrtle that enhances your landscape for years.