Lagerstroemia / Crimson Crape Myrtle Purple leaf pink flower

Crape Myrtle – Plant Details

• Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica

• Family: Lythraceae

• Common Names:

  • Crape Myrtle , Crimson Red Crape Myrtle , Red Crape Myrtle , Crepe Myrtle

Plant Description

• Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

• Height & Spread:

  • Height: 2–4 m (depends on cultivar and pruning)

  • Spread: 1.5–3 m

• Leaves:

  • Glossy, dark green turning yellow/orange in fall

  • Oval to elliptical shape

• Flowers:

  • Large clusters (panicles) of bright crimson-red flowers

  • Bloom summer through fall, often for several weeks

• Bark & Stems: Smooth, exfoliating bark with attractive mottled appearance

Sun Light 

• Prefers full sun (6+ hours/day)

• Full sun ensures vibrant blooms and compact growth
  

 Soil

• Well-draining soil is essential

• Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils

 Watering

• Moderate watering for established plants

• Keep soil evenly moist during first growing season

 Fertilizer

• Apply balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or 14-14-14) in spring

• Optional: second application in early summer to encourage blooms

• Avoid excessive nitrogen → promotes leafy growth at expense of flowers

 Pruning & Maintenance

• Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth

• Remove dead, diseased, or weak branches

• Light shaping pruning encourages dense canopy and more flowers

• Avoid heavy “topping” → can reduce flowering

Uses & Benefits

• Ornamental: Landscapes, gardens, patios, streetscapes

• Attractive blooms: Long-lasting red flowers 

• Low-maintenance: Drought-tolerant, pest-resistant

• Shade and screening: Can be grown as small tree or large shrub