The Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a popular ornamental tree or large shrub. This deciduous plant provides a dynamic display across all four seasons, making it a fixture in warmer climates and increasingly in cooler regions due to hardier cultivars. Its long-lasting blooms, unique woody structure, and vivid seasonal foliage transitions offer distinct points of identification and landscape interest.
The Distinctive Summer Flowers
The Crepe Myrtle’s abundant summer flowers can appear from late spring and persist well into the fall, sometimes for up to four months. Each bloom features delicate, crinkled petals that resemble crepe paper, which gives the plant its common name. These individual flowers cluster together densely on long terminal panicles that can measure between 6 and 18 inches in length. The color spectrum is broad, encompassing nearly every shade except true blue or yellow, with common options including vibrant white, multiple hues of pink, deep red, and various purples. The long blooming period is a result of the flowers developing on new growth, which means that spent blooms can be removed to encourage subsequent flushes of color throughout the summer season.
Unique Bark and Trunk Characteristics
When the Crepe Myrtle is not in bloom or has dropped its leaves for the winter, its bark and trunk structure become the primary feature. Mature specimens develop a smooth, mottled bark through a process known as exfoliation, where the outer layer peels away in thin, irregular flakes. This reveals a fresh, smooth surface underneath.
The underlying bark is typically a kaleidoscope of subtle colors, often showing shades of light gray, tan, creamy yellow, cinnamon, and reddish-brown. This multi-hued, polished appearance is particularly striking in the winter against a bare landscape. The tree naturally tends toward a multi-trunked growth habit, and these trunks often develop a muscular, twisted look with age.
Seasonal Leaf Color and Growth Habit
The foliage of the Crepe Myrtle also follows a multi-season progression, adding to the plant’s dynamic visual cycle. In the spring, new leaves often emerge with a reddish or bronze tint before maturing into a glossy, dark green oval shape in the summer. These leaves are relatively small and remain a deep green throughout the heat of the summer, providing a contrasting backdrop for the bright flowers.
As temperatures cool in the autumn, the Crepe Myrtle delivers a final burst of color before the leaves drop, shifting into brilliant shades of yellow, deep orange, and fiery red. This fall display rivals that of many traditional autumn foliage trees. In terms of form, the plant is available in a wide range of sizes, from dwarf varieties that remain under five feet to full-size cultivars that can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet, usually maintaining its characteristic multi-stemmed structure.