Crepe Myrtles in NC

[RDSLOTS]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Left to grow natural they are the most beautiful. A tall CM has one of the most amazing trunks.

Oh, man!, if you have an opportunity to look at the Southern Living gardening book, check out the photo of the incredible hot pink crepe myrtles featured close to the front of the book. Absolutely stunning, all abloom, and spreading over the sidewalk along the curbing. Those are what mature crepe myrtles look like!

Be sure to check out the varieties, too, when you consider buying one for your yard. There are some better suited to a site than others -- especially if you want a good-sized tree, as opposed to a shrub, an early v. late bloomer. You can even consider the Fall color of the leaves, and whether the bark of one will be more 'interesting' during the winter months, than say another variety.

Just a little research goes a long way towards making the right choices for your particular yard, needs, and desires. I learned this the hard way! Silly, stubborn me. . .

[fierce_flawless]

Does anyone know if the bloom colors can change over the life of the CM and why? Is it soil changes? I am in Texas if it matters. Someone mentioned that their CM had bloomed one color one season then another the next.

I have 2 huge, gorgeous ones on the side of my house. Don't know the age but they're at least 2 stories high and hot pink.

I hardly ever see anything but hot pink around here. I might consider planting another if I can avoid hot pink! Nothing against it, just kind of overdone in these parts.