Crape Myrtle

ornamental treesummer bloomdecorative barkautumn coloursmall garden

Crape Myrtle is a small ornamental tree with spectacular, crinkled flowers in pink, red, or purple from July to September. The smooth, flaking bark in shades of beige, grey, and cinnamon is decorative year-round. Stunning autumn colour in orange and red.

See in your garden

Characteristics

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 300–700 cm
Spread: 200–500 cm
Hardiness zone: 7–9
Family: Lythraceae
Evergreen: No
Flower colors: pink, red, purple
Wildlife value: bees, butterflies

Bloom period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in a warm, sheltered position in well-drained soil. Needs warmth to flower well. Water regularly during dry periods. Moderately hardy — in colder areas, shelter or container growing is advisable.

Pruning tips

Prune in late winter (February-March) by shortening the previous year's shoots to two or three buds. This encourages larger flower clusters. Remove dead wood and crossing branches. The distinctive bark is best displayed with a raised crown.

Good companions

Red and green palmate leaves of a Japanese maple in an autumn garden

Trees

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple is a graceful tree or large shrub with deeply lobed, palmate leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, or gold in autumn. Its elegant growth habit makes it a focal point in any garden. Hundreds of cultivars exist, from compact and rounded to broad and spreading.

Partial shadeMedium200–800 cm

Pink flowers of the Judas tree directly on bare branches in spring

Trees

Cercis siliquastrum

Judas Tree

The Judas tree is a spectacular small tree that bears bright pink flowers directly on the bare branches and even the trunk in April and May — a rare phenomenon called cauliflory. After flowering, heart-shaped blue-green leaves appear, giving the tree a Mediterranean character. The Judas tree slowly develops into a graceful, multi-stemmed specimen.

Full sunLow400–800 cm

Star-shaped white flowers of Star Magnolia against a blue spring sky

Trees

Magnolia stellata

Star Magnolia

Star Magnolia is a compact small tree or large shrub that becomes smothered in star-shaped white to pale pink flowers in March and April, before the leaves emerge. The blooms have a soft, sweet fragrance. Its compact size makes this magnolia suitable even for smaller gardens and front yards.

Full sunMedium200–300 cm