New, smaller crape myrtles fit better in most gardens while providing lots of flower power and sometimes colorful purple leaves too. Older, large types like Natchez, Muskogee, and Tuscarora grow into ...

Although native to eastern Asia, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are almost indispensable in the Southern landscape. Their vibrantly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white from May to ...

We often add flowering annuals and perennials to our landscapes to introduce color but flowering trees are sometimes overlooked. There are many great flowering trees throughout the year, but the one ...

Also known as "Lilac of the South" due to its popularity in zones 7 to 9, crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub or small tree that explodes with white, deep rose, or magenta blossoms from July to ...

Coral Magic: Impressive dark coral pink blooms; grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide; reddish new growth becomes glossy green in summer. Purple Magic: Large, dark purple blooms; grows 6 to 10 feet tall ...

SEATTLE, Wash. — Gardening guru Ciscoe Morris teaches Rachel Belle all about crape myrtle trees. Anyone who grew up in the south probably had a crape myrtle growing in their neighborhood. Botanically ...

So far, 2025 has been the best year I've seen for crape myrtles in the past 15 or 20. Many of us feel they're the best flowering shrubs and small trees for the South, and this year is certainly ...

How dull our summer streetscapes would be without the luscious blossoms of crape myrtles. Be they white, purple, pink or almost red, the plump clusters of blooms set off visual fireworks from April ...

correctionIn an earlier version of this article, the last name of a Smithsonian Gardens arborist was incorrectly stated. He is Jacob Hendee, not Jacob Hender. The article has been corrected. Spring ...