Crape Myrtles: Hot Plants for Hot Weather

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Gary W. Knox

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Photo Credit: Gardener’s Confidence Collection®

Cherry Dazzle® is a stunning new red dwarf compact crape myrtle.

Whew, it gets hot out there! Summer weather can be sweltering – not fit for man nor beast. Even much of the plant kingdom suffers from the heat.

Except, that is, for crape myrtle.

While most other garden plants droop and wilt from summer’s heat and humidity, crape myrtle thrives and puts on a spectacular flower show all season long. Its disease resistance and heat- and drought-tolerance make it as tough as it is beautiful. To paraphrase a favorite postal saying, “Neither rain, nor drought, nor heat, nor humidity shall keep the crape myrtle from its appointed flowering.

Crapemyrtle is one of our most beloved summer flowering plants. Long appreciated for its beauty and brawn, Southern gardeners of the 1800s had just one species of crape myrtle to enjoy, Lagerstroemia indica, and it came in one color: watermelon red. Thanks to modern explorers and breeders (and the plant’s diversity), we now have dozens of colorful crape myrtle cultivars in hues of lavender, purple, white, pink, or red – including new varieties with “true red” flowers.

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Photo Credit: McCorkle Nurseries, Inc.

Use taller crape myrtle varieties to bring gorgeous privacy to outdoor sitting rooms.

Today’s crape myrtles are even available in different sizes to suit all our home garden needs – whether it’s a tree, shrub, groundcover, large perennial, container plant or hanging basket variety. Tree-form crape myrtles are ideal as flowering specimens or as small, flowering shade trees near patios, walkways and entrances. Shrub forms make an excellent accent in a shrub border when planted in groups. Dwarf plants are effective as large groundcovers, perennial bedding plants or even container plants, providing colorful summer flowers.

Facts

Razzle Dazzle® crape myrtles don’t require pruning. However, if you choose to prune to maintain a particular shape or size, it’s best to do so after the plant is in dormancy – usually late winter to early spring.
Plants in the Razzle Dazzle® Series include Cherry Dazzle®, Dazzle Me Pink®, Raspberry Dazzle®, Ruby Dazzle® and Snow Dazzle®.)

Tips

Home gardeners in regions colder than Zone 6 can grow crape myrtles in containers during the summer and then overwinter them once the weather turns cool. Simply bring your container into a garage or basement during the cold months, allowing the plant to go dormant during winter. Keep it moderately moist but well-drained during this period (just enough to keep the roots semi-moist). Place the container outside again when temperatures rise above freezing, and your plant will be ready for new spring growth.
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Resources

Razzle Dazzle® crape myrtles are sun-loving varieties that bloom from summer into fall and work well in borders, beds and containers. For more information, visit the Gardener’s Confidence Collection® Website.

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