Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are popular flowering trees and shrubs known for their long-lasting blooms. Valued for their versatility and visual appeal, they enhance outdoor spaces and offer beauty across seasons.
Benefits of Crepe Myrtles in Landscape Design
Crepe myrtles are a favored choice for landscape projects due to their many advantages. They offer an extended blooming period from summer into fall, with flowers in white, pink, purple, and red. Beyond their vibrant flowers, the trees feature attractive, exfoliating bark that reveals a smooth, mottled trunk in shades of brown, gray, and cinnamon, providing year-round visual interest, especially in winter.
These plants also display appealing fall foliage, with leaves turning yellow, orange, or red before dropping. Once established, crepe myrtles are relatively low maintenance, tolerating drought and adapting to various climates and soil types. This combination of multi-seasonal appeal and ease of care makes them a practical garden addition.
Choosing the Right Crepe Myrtle
Choosing the right crepe myrtle variety is crucial for successful landscape integration. Varieties differ significantly in mature size, from dwarf types a few feet tall to standard trees reaching 20-30 feet or more. Consider the mature height and spread to ensure the plant fits the available space and avoids overcrowding or interference with structures.
Flower color is another key consideration, influencing the overall aesthetic of the garden. While white, pink, purple, and red are common, specific cultivars offer unique shades and intensities. Beyond size and color, some varieties feature particularly striking exfoliating bark, which can be a significant design element, especially during winter months. Growth habit, whether shrub-like, multi-stemmed, or single-trunked, also dictates its function within the design.
Diverse Landscape Applications
Crepe myrtles integrate into landscape designs in many ways, from specimen plantings to privacy screens. A single, well-placed crepe myrtle can serve as a focal point, drawing attention with its vibrant blooms, sculptural form, and attractive bark. These trees can anchor a garden bed or stand alone in an open lawn, providing year-round visual appeal.
For a more dramatic effect, plant multiple crepe myrtles in groupings or mass plantings. This creates a cohesive visual impact and enhances color, forming mini-groves in larger landscapes. When planted closely, certain varieties form dense hedges or screens, offering privacy and defining garden areas. For example, planting dwarf varieties 3-5 feet apart or taller types 5-8 feet apart creates a thick, seamless hedge.
Crepe myrtles are also suitable for border plantings along property lines, driveways, or garden beds. Lining a driveway or walkway creates an inviting, formal look, but proper spacing is needed as they mature. Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are well-suited for container plantings, allowing flexible placement on patios, decks, or balconies, bringing color to smaller spaces.
In urban or formal settings, larger crepe myrtles function as street trees or driveway accents. Their non-invasive root systems make them suitable for planting near hardscapes like walkways, driveways, and foundations, provided adequate space for mature growth. They can soften architectural lines when planted near building foundations, adding vertical interest without overwhelming the space.
Complementary Plantings and Design Elements
Thoughtful companion planting and the incorporation of broader design principles enhance the beauty of crepe myrtles. Plants that complement their colors, textures, and seasonal interest create a cohesive garden. Consider flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, spirea, or dogwood, which offer impressive floral displays and sometimes overlap bloom times. For example, Limelight hydrangeas can brighten the purples and reds of crepe myrtle blooms.
Layer perennials and annuals such as hostas, coral bells, salvia, and ornamental grasses beneath crepe myrtles. Shade-loving plants like hostas thrive in dappled shade, while sun-loving options like bearded irises or lantana suit sunnier areas around the tree’s canopy. Evergreen shrubs like boxwoods provide year-round structure and contrast with the deciduous nature of crepe myrtles.
Color schemes can range from monochromatic to contrasting palettes that make the blooms pop. Layering plants of varying heights and textures creates visual depth and interest within the garden bed. Incorporating other design elements, such as decorative mulch, rocks, or garden art, further unifies the landscape, creating an appealing and harmonious outdoor environment.