Here are some of our favorite types of crepe myrtles that tower above the rest.
Few trees have the attention-grabbing impact of a large crepe myrtle.
In summer, their massive displays of color can arch walkways or provide cooling shade.
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Fall transforms the display into warm tones with orange, red, or yellow leaves.
But for the best impact, it’s important to work with a variety that best fits your space.
Here are the varieties of large and medium crape myrtles to consider for your Southern garden.
Need a shorter crepe myrtle?
Buy a shorter variety of crepe myrtle.
Don’t ruin the beauty of these large crepe myrtle trees bywacking them back every yearto control their size.
Do plant these large crepe myrtles to create big impact because of their size.
Prune in late winter.
Biloxi
Upright vase shape; pale pink blooms; orange-red fall foliage.
Trainable as a standard but quite striking as a multitrunked tree.
Winter trunks are fabulous with mottled tan and brown from peeling bark.
Natchez
Broad tall tree, white frilly blooms, red-orange foliage.
Natchez has high mildew resistance, great winter bark, and weeping branches.
Dynamite
Upright more columner tree, fiery red flowers, orange red foliage.
Great choice when narrower crepe myrtle is needed.
Muskogee
Broad tall tree, light lavender flowers, red-orange foliage.
More rounded shape tree, attractive bark, high mildew resistance.
Tuscarora
Broad vase shape tree, coral-pink flowers, orange fall foliage.
Foliage emerges coppery-bronze in the spring, has high mildew resistance, and great light cinnamon winter bark.
Arapaho
Upright tree, red flowers, maroon red fall foliage.
Good mildew resistance and lovely winter trunks with peeling bark, nice choice for screening.
Miami
Upright tree, dark pink flowers, russet red to orange fall foliage.
These mid-size trees can be use as large shrubs to create privacy hedges or grown in large planters.
When creating crepe myrtle hedges or mass plantings be mindful of spacing.
When grown too closely together they are susceptible to powdery mildew due to poor circulation.
As with the larger crepe myrtles, prune only the spent flowers and any damaged branches.
Catawba
Upright, small tree; violet-purple blooms; scarlet fall foliage.
This dense multi-stemmed shrub can provide privacy even during the winter.
Low maintenance, deer resistant, and fast grower.
Osage
Arching, open small tree.
Vivid pink flower, beautiful mottled chestnut brown bark, red fall color.
This long blooming shrub/small tree brings cool shade with its dense rounded form.
Fast grower and can live for 50 years or more.
Lipan
Broad upright and spreading tree, medium lavender flower, orange fall color.
Centennial Spirit
Strong rounded tree, rose-red flowers, red-orange fall color.
Grey bark peels off to expose cream colored bark.
Burgundy Cotton
Upright rounded tree, large clusters of white flowers opening from burgundy flower flower buds.
Blooms on new wood, perfect as a specimen plant or screening plant.
Blooms from early summer to early fall.
Discover what color blooms your crepe myrtle produces before planting to ensure you select a suitable variety.
