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is there a difference between a crepe myrtle tree and a crepe myrtle bush

by Miss Mireille Carroll Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.Dec 9, 2020

Full Answer

What is the difference between a crape myrtle tree and Bush?

What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. See also our Crape Myrtles Plant Care and Collection of Varieties. Click to see full answer.

Are all crepe myrtles evergreen?

Are any crepe myrtles Evergreen? Crape myrtles are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, while wax myrtles include evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs and trees. Crape myrtles offer brilliantly-colored foliage in fall until the first hard frost of the season.

What does a semi dwarf crepe myrtle tree look like?

The semi-dwarf trees have a large, spreading crown up to 11 ft. (3.3 m) wide. From early summer until the fall, Acoma crape myrtles produce clusters of showy white flowers. The crepe-like petals turn the tree white, giving it an appearance of snow.

What is the reference chart for crepe myrtle?

Reference Chart to Crape Myrtles Name Flower-color Height (feet) Uses Pink Velour* Light-pink 10 shrub borders; foreground and small-gard ... Strawberry Dazzle Rose-pink 4-5 foreground and small-garden shrub; large ... Tuscarora Candy-pink 20 screening; lawn specimen; large shrub 10 more rows ...

Is my crepe myrtle a tree or bush?

The common crapemyrtle is a deciduous, small to medium sized shrub or small tree with a variable, moderately dense habit, often multi-stemmed form. The showy pink flowers have wrinkled petals like crepe paper.

Can a crepe myrtle bush become a tree?

Whether you call them crepe myrtles or crape myrtles, these summer blooming plants are extremely adaptable and fast growing and are ideal for shaping into single- or multi-trunked trees.

What is the difference between a myrtle tree and a crepe myrtle tree?

Crape myrtle and wax myrtle differ slightly in soil and other needs. Wax myrtle grows in sun to partial shade, while crape myrtle requires full sun to ensure flowering. Crape myrtles are tolerant of dry soil, but cannot tolerate saline water near coastal areas.

What is a myrtle bush?

The Myrtle Tree (or Myrtus communis) is a dwarf tree or shrub that's cherished for its abundance of dainty, evergreen leaves that adorn the branches year round. In summer, the tree blooms with gorgeous star-like blooms that release their fragrance into the air.

How big do crepe myrtle bushes get?

Not only do they differ in bloom and leaf color, but also in mature size. Dwarf varieties only grow to a height of 4 feet or less. Semi-Dwarf varieties grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Large or Tree Crapemyrtle reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet.

Which crape myrtle is the best?

Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won't grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you'll encourage way more blooms to appear.

Do you cut back crepe myrtle bushes?

First of all, pruning crapemyrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow! If you need to prune your crapemyrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the crapemyrtle is the correct method. Remove lower limbs that are thinner than a pencil diameter.

Are there different varieties of crepe myrtles?

Cherry Dazzle Crape MyrtleReference Chart to Crape MyrtlesMuskogee*Lilac20-30SiouxMedium-pink13-20Tonto*Fuchsia-pink4-10NatchezWhite20-3010 more rows•Jan 16, 2015

What does myrtle bush look like?

The plant may grow more than 5 m (about 16.5 feet) high. The opposite leaves are thick and lustrous, with many small, translucent, oil-bearing glands. The solitary white flowers, about 1.8 cm (about 0.7 inch) long, are borne on short stalks. The fruit is a purplish black, many-seeded berry.

How do you look after a myrtle bush?

Common myrtle prefers locations with high exposure to sunlight. It likes rich, well-drained soil: that is where it flowers best. Adding soil conditioner when planting enhances settling in and root development. Water well during the first 2 years after planting.

How do you take care of a myrtle bush?

Like with most indoor plants, keep the soil of your myrtle tree moist but don't over water so that the compost is soggy or left standing in water. Simply water when the top layer of soil begins to feel dry and don't allow it to dry out too much. Water thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain away.

What Do Crape Myrtles Look like?

Crape Myrtles are shrubs and small trees that usually develop several trunks, although they can be pruned to a single stem. Their first notable fea...

Crape Myrtles in The Garden and Landscape

The majority of people spend most of their time in the garden during summer. That is when we want to enjoy the fresh air, the warmth and the sunshi...

The History of Crape Myrtles

In 1790, shortly after the American Revolution, the French botanist André Michaux brought plants of Crape Myrtles to Charleston, South Carolina, th...

Important Species of Crape Myrtle

The plants that Michaux introduced and which formed the beginnings of the many varieties available today, belonged to the species Lagerstroemia ind...

Hybrid Groups of Crape Myrtles

Not content with the offerings of Nature, because of the problems of powdery mildew on these plants when grown in humid climates and to develop pla...

National Arboretum Crape Myrtles

The National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. has been involved for a long time in breeding many different ornamental plants, and in 1962 they turned...

Choosing The Right Crape Myrtles

Go for Disease Resistance: Older types of Crape Myrtles are prone to the disease Powdery Mildew and you may have been put off growing these plants...

Keeping Your Crape Myrtle Flowering All Summer Long

As new stems grow they will develop flower clusters at the end. These will be the first flowers to open and once they have finished flowering, seed...

What is the difference between a crape myrtle and a crape myrtle tree?

Crape Myrtle Tree. Crape myrtle bushes are smaller than trees and have multiple stems. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush.

What is a crape myrtle bush?

Crape myrtle bushes ( Lagerstroemia indica) are attractive varieties of multi-stemmed flowering shrubs with showy red, white, pink or purple flowers. Crape myrtle shrubs flower in summer, turning the large bushes into colorful floral displays that attract birds and pollinators. You can grow ornamental crape myrtle bushes in warm climates.

How tall does an Apalachee Crape Myrtle grow?

Apalachee crape myrtle shrub (left) and close up picture of the pale purple flowers (right) The ‘Apalachee’ crape myrtle is a tall hybrid myrtle shrub that grows up to 12 ft. (3.6 m) high. This crape myrtle variety has clusters of light purple, lavender-colored flowers.

What color are the leaves on a crape myrtle?

The appealing leaves on crape myrtle shrubs are dark green in summer before turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall. The small deciduous, oval leaves measure up to 2” or 3” (5 – 7.5 cm) long and have rounded ends. Crape myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing arrangement and grow oppositely on stems.

How tall is a crape myrtle?

Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes. Some crape myrtle trees can grow up to 35 ft. (10 m) high.

What is the best hedge for grape myrtle?

The best varieties for growing a grape myrtle hedge are Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tonto,’ and Lagerstroemia indica ‘Mo num.’

What is the name of the small shrub that produces crepe-like flowers?

Another small crape myrtle bush is the Petite Orchid cultivar. The dwarf shrub produces crepe-like flowers that are a deep pink-purple color. Its fast growth and short stature make the Lagerstroemia petite orchid shrub best for planting at the front of the house, along borders, in rock gardens, or in containers.

What is a crape myrtle?

Crape Myrtles are shrubs and small trees that usually develop several trunks, although they can be pruned to a single stem. Their first notable feature is the bark, which is smooth and shows a variety of colors, ranging from grey to cinnamon and soft pink.

How big are the flowers of a crape myrtle?

The flowers are about one inch across, but many are carried in each panicle, making a very dramatic effect. The petals are crinkled, like crepe-paper, which is the origin of the common name ‘Crape Myrtle’. A wide range of colors is available, in all shades from white to pink and red, as well as lilacs and purples.

How tall does a Sioux crape myrtle grow?

The Sioux Crape Myrtle grows between 15 and 20 feet tall and has a narrow, upright form, making it ideal for smaller gardens. The blossoms are an attractive mid-pink – a softer color than many other Crape Myrtles and the fall colors are rich shades of deep red and purple. The bark is grey-brown in color. This plant has won several medals, including Florida Plant of the Year in 1998. As would be expected it has shown good mildew resistance in trials.

What is a catawba crape myrtle?

The Catawba Crape Myrtle, a shorter form reaching between 8 and 10 feet in height and covered all summer in flowers of a gorgeous rich purple color. It also has fall leaves in powerful orange and red tones and especially attractive grey-brown bark in winter. Additionally, It is resistant to powdery mildew and always has clean, glossy leaves. Because of its shorter height and dense growth it makes an excellent screening or informal hedge plant. This was one of Dr Egolf’s early plants which is still one of the best. It was introduced in 1967.

How tall is a Muskogee Crape Myrtle?

The Muskogee Crape Myrtle is the ideal choice if you want a large tree. It can reach 20 to 30 feet in height and is covered all summer with beautiful blossoms in a perfect shade of lilac. It has excellent mildew resistance and outstanding bark color, with shades of grey and soft orange predominating. The fall foliage is red and orange. This tree also has a dual use, since it is tough enough to survive winters in zone 6 with just some damage to the top growth. If it is pruned back in spring it will re-sprout and flower later in the summer on a shrub that will be 6 to 10 feet tall by the time fall comes. This hybrid was introduced in 1978.

What is the best tree for a lawn?

Arapaho Crape Myrtle. The Arapaho Crape Myrtle is a tall variety reaching around 20 feet with red flowers that are a true red, not just a dark pink. This tree has excellent resistant to powdery mildew. Its taller size makes it a great choice for background planting or for a specimen in your lawn.

What is the name of the plant that Michaux introduced?

The plants that Michaux introduced and which formed the beginnings of the many varieties available today, belonged to the species Lagerstroemia indica , which grows naturally in China, Korea, Japan and India. It is usually called the Common Crape Myrtle. In the wild this plant grows into a multi-stemmed tree that is perhaps 20 feet tall. The leaves are small, oval in shape and dark green. In fall the foliage turns spectacular shades of yellow, orange and red before falling, leaving bare branches that are attractively mottled with multi-colored bark in shades of pink, cream and gray. The flowers of the wild plants are usually rosy-red to red in color.

How tall do crape myrtles get?

The flower clusters at the top were from varieties growing to mature heights of less than 5 ft., while flowers at the bottom of the photo were from varieties that will grow to be 20 ft. tall and taller. No one will probably ever have a complete list of all the crape myrtle varieties. There are many cultivars/varieties that are identical ...

Is there a list of all the crape myrtle varieties?

No one will probably ever have a complete list of all the crape myrtle varieties. There are many cultivars/varieties that are identical to others with different names. Only gene testing could tell us the real facts. In other cases, there are variety names in historic nursery catalogs from decades past, but those varieties are apparently nowhere ...

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