Crepe Myrtles are one of the South's favorite trees.  Visit an old southern plantation and you may see crepe myrtles that exceed 100 years of age.  They can be found growing from the Gulf Coast to as far north as Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Crepe Myrtles offer full season appeal and are easy to grow.  They have many outstanding features such as gray, tan or cinnamon-hued branches.  In Central Virginia they start to bloom in mid-June and cared for properly will continue to bloom well into early fall.  In the fall they produce foliage in reds, oranges and yellows.  In winter the exfoliating bark is revealed showing off their naturally sculpted trunks.

Summer is the ideal time to purchase Crepe Myrtles.  It is in the heat of summer that their true colors start to show.  REds, pinks, lavenders, purles, white and some new variegated varieties are truly spectacular.  We carry a wide variety of plants and any assortment of sizes.  Remember, planted now they will need lots of water to adjust to the garden and promote new root growth.

Most spring bloomers have delicate flowers that only last a week or two. Properly cared for Crepe Myrtles can bloom all summer. A light tip pruning and snipping off of old blooms will encourage new flowers. Heavy pruning in February and March will ruin the shape of the trees. Trees cut back too much will grow so thick that they do not get proper air circulation. They are then subject to insects, sooty mold and powdery mildew.

Crepe Myrtles have many landscape uses. They can be used as a single specimen tree or in mass as a hedge or screen. Some of the smaller selections look wonderful in large containers.

Always find out a Crepe Myrtles mature height before planting. Crepe Myrtles range in height from 2 feet to 30 feet. They are listed as large, medium and small. See chart below.

Crepe Myrtles need to be planted in a sunny site to show their best. In shade they bloom little or none and soon become leggy. Not all Crepe Myrtle varieties are suitable for Central Virginia. Gary's only carries varieties that will grow and perform in this area.

If you have need of a showy tree, in a sunny spot, where space is limited, consider trying a Crepe Myrtle. They will beat the heat and give wonderful color when not much else is in bloom.

Not only last, but least important, either Crepe or Crape is considered correct spelling. The growers from which we purchase plants seem about equally divided on spelling in the catalogs we receive.

Crepe Myrtles

 Miniature - Height 12 Inches
New Orleans - Weeping Shrub, Purple Flower, Excellent Pot Plant

Dwarf - Mature Height 3-5 Feet
Dwarf Snow - White
Victor - Shrub, Deep Dark Red Flowers
Tightwad Red - Mounding, Light Red, Mildew Resistant
Petite Pinkie - Shrub, Clear Pink Flowering

Semi-Dwarf - Mature Height 5-10 Feet
Acoma - Rounded Tree, White
Tonto - Rounded Tree, Red
Velmas Royal Delight - Magenta

Standard - Height to 20 Feet
Catawba - Medium, Upright Tree, Dark Purple Flowers
Raspberry Sundae - Columnar Tree, Pink Floers with White Edges
Dynamite - Cherry Red Flowers
Natchez - Pure White Flowers
Pink Velour (Formerly Red Velour) - Bright Pink Flower, Wine Foliage
Miami - Dark Pink, Excellent Fall Color