The crape myrtle grows at a moderate rate to 30 to 40 feet high with a 25-foot spread and lives from 50 to 150 years. Handsome peeling bark highlights its multi-trunk or single-trunk tree.

You’ve probably seen crape myrtle trees pruned to look like a coat rack. Hopefully, you’re not guilty of doing this. The term “crape murder” was coined to describe this drastic topping of ...

The reason most often used for topping crape myrtles is that they have gotten too tall. The solution is simple. There are over 1200 varieties of crape myrtle with mature heights ranging from 2 ...

My husband wants to plant crape myrtle trees on the side of the house. We live on a corner lot, and this will be nice curb appeal with the proper up lighting. However, I do not want them to be huge.

The single-trunk crape myrtle is a popular street tree that grows 15 to 25 feet tall and usually does not interfere with power lines. If you have limited space, consider a semi-dwarf variety that ...

Hardiness, hotter summers helping colorful crape myrtles find homes here. Many are hardy enough, but we were never hot enough. In recent summers, however, I’ve seen them blooming in local gardens.

My husband wants to plant crape myrtle trees on the side of the house. We live on a corner lot and this will be nice curb appeal with the proper up lighting. However, I see crape myrtles that grow ...

Arborists warn of invasive insects causing harm to Crape Myrtle Trees in South Carolina. Crapemyrtle Bark Scale was first discovered in South Carolina back in 2019 in Richland County.

Now’s the time of year you’re most likely to see naked crape myrtle trees, the unfortunate consequence of improper wintertime pruning. The practice has even been given a not-so-affectionate ...

Many crape myrtle trees across the D.C. region are infested by a bug called bark scale, which leaves behind a black fungal infection. A cure is elusive.

WASHINGTON — Crape Myrtle trees are found all over the DMV. They boast beautiful blooms and are a staple of many landscapes. But little white critters, called bark scale, are threatening the trees.

Garden columnist Dan Gill answers readers' questions each week. To send a question, email Gill at gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu. My husband wants to plant crape myrtle trees on the side of the ...