The Difference Between Wax Myrtles and Crepe Myrtles
- Culture. Crepe myrtles grow in U.S. ...
- Flowers and Fruit. While wax myrtle flowers are inconspicuous, crepe myrtles are prized for their showy purple, white or pink blossoms.
- Leaves. Wax myrtles are a group of evergreen and semi-evergreen trees and shrubs. ...
- Bark. ...
- Landscape Uses. ...
Is it crape myrtle or crepe myrtle?
Is it Crape Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle. The scientific name is lagerstroemia crape myrtle. The traditional Southern spelling is "Crepe Myrtle" (because the delicate flowers resemble crepe paper). However, across the US, it is more commonly found as "Crape Myrtle". In Europe and Australia and other countries they use the Scientific Name,...
What does a crepe myrtle bush look like?
Crape myrtles have a relatively compact growth habit with a spreading, vase-like shape and flat-topped growth. The attractive features of crape myrtle bushes are their flowers with crepe-like petals, orange or red fall foliage, and interesting pinkish-gray, mottled, peeling bark. Crape myrtle bushes thrive in USDA zones 6 through 10.
What is the difference between wax myrtle and common Waxmyrtle?
It is distinguished from the common waxmyrtle in that its leaves are shorter and wider, and the twigs are much stouter. The fruits are twice the size of the common waxmyrtle.
Do wax myrtles like sun or shade?
The waxy berries were used for making candles in Colonial times. Waxmyrtles make good beach plants, since they tolerate drought, sand, sun and salt spray. Waxmyrtles are not particular about soil, but they prefer good drainage and slightly acidic soils. Common waxmyrtle should be planted in partial shade to full sun.
See more
What is the difference between a myrtle tree and a crepe myrtle tree?
Crape Myrtle Tree. 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).
What is the difference between crepe myrtle and crape myrtle?
(Lagerstroemia), If you are wondering which spelling is correct (Crape Myrtle, Crapemyrtle, Crepe Myrtle, or Crepemyrtle), they are all acceptable and any may be seen on plant tags, in an article or web search. Crape Myrtle is probably the most used common name in California.
Do wax myrtles bloom?
Include the wax myrtle tree in your natural or wildlife friendly area. Flowers appear in spring; they are small with a greenish tint.
Are wax myrtles trees or shrubs?
evergreen shrubA wispy, 6-12 ft., multi-trunked, evergreen shrub, southern bayberry or wax myrtle can reach 20 ft. in height. The light olive-green foliage has a spicy fragrance. Pale blue berries occur on female plants in the winter.
Do wax myrtles lose their leaves in winter?
Wax myrtle is native from New Jersey to Florida and west to Texas, says Miller. Its close relative, the northern bayberry (Myrica or Morella pensylvanica), is sometimes seen in Virginia; it's deciduous to semi-evergreen, so in cold winters it loses most or all of its leaves.
Do wax myrtles drop leaves?
Old leaves will die and drop off to be replaced by fresh new leaves. That is just normal. Again, according to our Native Plant Database information on the wax myrtle: "Wax myrtle is a fast growing plant that tolerates poor drainage and drought. Essentially a shrub, it serves as an excellent screen plant.
Do wax myrtles repel mosquitoes?
Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera or Myrica cerifera) is native to the American southeast where residents traditionally planted it as an insect repellent. The presence of wax myrtle shrubs repel many types of insects and rubbing skin with the crushed leaves keeps mosquitoes away.
Does wax myrtle spread?
The Wax Myrtle can grow upwards of 25 feet with n equivalent spread, but it is most commonly seen in the 10 to 20 foot range.
How can you tell a wax myrtle?
Wax Myrtle or Southern Bayberry (Myrica cerifera) They are thin, often coarsely serrated along the apical margins and have tiny glands (dots) on both sides. The trunk is crooked and covered with grayish-white bark. Flowers are inconspicuous. Fruits are grayish blue, borne in dense clusters.
Does wax myrtle have invasive roots?
The Wax Myrtle has a non invasive root system.
Is wax myrtle fast growing?
From 3 to 5 feet of growth per year, the Wax Myrtle is one of the fastest-growing privacy hedges. Hardy plant. This shrub tree is no maintenance once established. The Wax Myrtle tolerates drought, heat, and salt.
How tall is a wax myrtle?
This rapidly-growing, small, evergreen native tree is capable of reaching a height of 25 feet with an equal spread but is usually seen in the 10 to 20-foot range. Sometimes used as a large shrubbery screen, Southern Waxmyrtle is ideal for use as a small tree, the lower limbs removed to reveal its picturesque form.
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 do wax myrtles smell like?
Wax myrtles are a group of evergreen and semi-evergreen trees and shrubs. Their narrow, glossy green leaves also give off a pleasant smell when crushed. Crepe myrtles, on the other hand, are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, which means that their leaves do change color in the fall, producing shades of yellow, orange and red.
What are the flowers of a wax myrtle?
While wax myrtle flowers are inconspicuous, crepe myrtles are prized for their showy purple, white or pink blossoms. Each large cluster of crepe myrtle flowers consists of hundreds of blooms, with petals that have a crepe-like texture. Although they don't have showy flowers, wax myrtles are a prized plant for the home landscape as well, because of their aromatic foliage and berries that attract birds and other wildlife. The grayish-white fruits of wax myrtles appear in clusters on the stems of the previous season's growth. The brown fruit of the crepe myrtle is inconspicuous with a dry, hard covering.
Do crepe myrtles like sun?
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, while wax myrtles grow in zones 7 through 11.While wax myrtles do best in full sun and partial shade, crepe myrtles need full sun locations for optim um flowering. Wax myrtles are tolerant of sandy soils, salt spray and drought conditions, but they prefer slightly acidic soils and are sensitive to cold. Their leaves may brown and drop if temperatures drop below freezing. Crepe myrtles are also drought-tolerant, but unlike wax myrtles, they do not tolerate saline soil conditions.
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 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 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.
How tall do crape myrtle bushes grow?
Tall crape myrtle bushes are varieties of large shrubs, growing between 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) high. Let’s look in detail at some of the taller varieties of Lagerstroemia indica to enhance your garden’s aesthetics.
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 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.
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.
Where do crape myrtles grow?
Crape Myrtles are known to botanists as Lagerstroemia and there are around 50 wild species growing in warm regions from India and Asia to northern Australia and islands in the Pacific Ocean.
What is a wax myrtle?
Common waxmyrtle ( Morella cerifera) growing as a hedge in a beach community. Wax myrtles are useful as screen plants, informal hedges, or roadside plantings. The foliage and berries are pleasantly aromatic. Birds are attracted to wax myrtles, which they use for food and shelter.
How tall do dwarf bayberry plants grow?
The plants grow to less than 3 feet tall and are strongly stoloniferous, which means the plants spread to form colonies. Flowering in this dwarf species is about 3 weeks later than in the common waxmyrtle. It grows primarily in the coastal plain pinelands. This species grows well in USDA zones 7 to 10.
Where do waxmyrtles come from?
Common waxmyrtle or Southern bayberry ( Morella cerifera; formerly Myrica cerifera) is native to South Carolina and other southeastern States. Its range is from New Jersey to Florida and westward to Texas.
Why are wax myrtles good for birds?
The waxy berries were used for making candles in Colonial times. Waxmyrtles make good beach plants, since they tolerate drought, sand, sun and salt spray.
How big does a sage tree get?
It grows to a height of 6 to 10 feet and 10 to 15 feet wide. The annual growth rate is 12 to 18 inches. The glossy, dark green foliage is followed by persistent, silvery gray berries that provide winter interest. Male and female plants are required for good fruit development.
Where does the Northern Bayberry grow?
It grows primarily in the coastal plain pinelands. This species grows well in USDA zones 7 to 10. Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica; formerly Myrica pensylvanica): This deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub is more cold hardy than common waxmyrtle. It grows to a height of 6 to 10 feet and 10 to 15 feet wide.
How tall do dwarf waxmyrtles grow?
The plants grow to less than 3 feet tall and are strongly stoloniferous, which means the plants spread to form colonies. Flowering in this dwarf species is about 3 weeks later than in the common waxmyrtle. It grows primarily in the coastal plain pinelands. This species grows well in USDA zones 7 to 10.
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 ...
