Family: Lythraceae
Common name: Common Crape Myrtle, Crape flower, Crape myrtle, Crepe myrtle, Indian crape myrtle, Crepe flower, Chinese crepe myrtle, Queen flower, Bungor, Lilac of the South
My Experience
I already have a page on Lagerstroemia speciosa or Pride of India, a plant that grows in our apartment complex. Part of the year, this tree becomes brown and skeleton-like. And I keep thinking that the tree is dead. Come spring, and the tree bursts into a bouquet of pink flowers.
I was so happy to see a cousin of this tree in Georgia(the country), and that too in so many beautiful colors. I photographed this tree in multiple locations – Holy Trinity church campus, during an Old City walking tour, and also at Bodhbe monastery.
Tree characteristics
The Common Crape Myrtle is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, is loved for its bright, beautiful flowers that bloom aplenty during summer. They are native to China and a few other Asian countries, but these trees also grow well in temperate weather. They are used in cityscapes and gardens very commonly because they’re quite sturdy and low- maintenance.
The Common Crape Myrtle only grows to a height of about 6 meters and has a similar spread with a beautifully rounded crown. They have shallow, fibrous roots, which make them ideal for landscaped areas with shallow soil, terrace gardens, and even large pots. Even large trees can be transplanted easily to new locations.
The trunk of the Crape Myrtle is not very thick. They are multi-stemmed, each stem about 10 to 15 cm in diameter, with a smooth, thin bark that sheds in irregular patches to reveal different colors underneath.
Leaves of the tree are simple and entire with smooth margins. They are oblong in shape, about 5-7 cm long. Newer leaves tend to have a bronze or red tinge, turning deep green in color as they mature.
During the fall season, these leaves transform into beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red before they are shed to prepare the tree for winter.
Flowers are one of the most admired features of the Common Crape Myrtle because of its profuse flowering and long-lasting flowers. These bright, beautiful flowers are produced in extra-large bunches, blooming from summer all through spring and into the beginning of autumn.
Each bunch or panicle bears dozens of flowers, and each individual flower is 3-4 centimeters in diameter with six delicate, crepe paper-like, ruffled petals that give the tree its name.
Flowers vary in color from white, pink, red, purple, magenta, and even lavender.
Once pollinated, the flowers then produce small fruits, which are small, woody, brown capsules, about 1 cm in diameter. When they mature, these capsules split open into six segments, each containing small winged seeds. The wings help in wind dispersal of the seeds, so that they can travel long distances before reaching suitable places to germinate.
Gardening tips
Common Crape Myrtle trees are very sturdy and require very little care and attention. They need good sunlight and watering, but they’re tolerant of a variety of poor soil conditions.
Watering is needed only when the tree is small and during the hot summer months. It is important to avoid over-fertilizing the tree as it is not a heavy feeder. So apply a well-balanced fertilizer just before the flowering season, and that should take care of the tree’s food requirements.
Pruning the tree in late winter can help it grow more bushy and well-rounded, making it look like a flower vase. It is very common for gardeners to lop the tree almost down to the roots, but this can reduce flowering as the tree needs to spend a lot of energy to grow back.
Crape Myrtle trees are vulnerable to pests like aphids, beetles, and scale insects. Timely intervention with organic pesticides or neem oil can help prevent further damage to the tree.
Uses of Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle trees are extensively used in landscaping in urban areas and parks because they stay short and shrubby, producing flowers in abundance for 3 to 4 months during a year. They also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that help pollinate the tree.
Parts of the tree are used in the treatment of cuts, wounds, bleeding, fever, cold, stomach disorders, and so on. The shallow, fibrous roots of the tree help prevent soil erosion, making them ideal for areas that are prone to floods. The wood of the tree is quite hard and is used to make small implements and toys.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings. The tree is capable of self-seeding through wind pollination of the seeds that germinate and produce new trees very quickly.
Photographed at: Multiple locations in Georgia (the country, not the city)
