Red Crepe Myrtle is a favorite among home gardeners who want to bring a dramatic pop of color into their yard. While several varieties are available in many different colors, the shrub is a favorite choice for those who want a beautiful, hardy, and low-maintenance tree.
The Stunning Appearance Of Red Crepe Myrtle
The shrub is a fixture in the southern states but is recommended for growth in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10. It was named for the crinkly, crepe-like appearance of its flowers, which bloom in early spring and continue throughout the summer in most areas. However, the bark of this tree is just as appealing as the flowers it produces. The bark can be light brown, orange, cream, or cinnamon-colored, giving this shrub its own appeal.
Red Crepe Myrtle Is Extremely Hardy
Red Crepe Myrtle is a hardy plant, which makes it a favored option among home gardeners and commercial landscape designers. It is resistant to high heat and tolerant of drought weather conditions. It can be purchased balled and burlap or bare root. It can also be transplanted from containers.
They prefer loamy soils but can adapt to most soil types except excessively wet soil. They produce blooms without fertilizer but flourish with regular fertilizer applications.
Red Crepe Myrtle Is Exceptionally Versatile
One of the most attractive traits of the Red Crepe Myrtle is its versatility. It can be pruned into a shrub or a multi-stemmed tree. Because of its dramatic colors, it is often placed along driveways or around decks. It also makes a lovely specimen tree in any yard or garden. When used as a shrub, it can be used as a border or around entrances. Dwarf varieties can be used as ground cover for an unusual visual effect that adds appeal.