The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Lagerstroemia

Crepe Myrtles, Crape Myrtles

These flowering trees are an old favourite in Queensland gardens. Rather than a tropical flamboyance, they have a more delicate look reminiscent of the cooler climate trees. Their leaves even colour up a little in autumn and fall in winter.

This old-fashioned flowering tree has enjoyed renewed interest in recent years with the development of many new varieties in a range of sizes. More information to come in future updates.

In spite of the common name, they aren't members of the plant family Mrytaceae (which includes eucalypts and lilypillies). Crepe myrtles belond to the family Lythraceae.

Where to buy Crepe Myrtles

If you can't find them in your local garden centres, or would prefer to buy online, try:

Garden Express

If you operate a nursery (including online and mail order) supplying Lagerstroemia to the publlic in Queensland, you can advertise in this section. Those selling rare, unusual or a wide range of varieties are especially urged to advertise. More information about advertising.

More Links

The following links are for general information. Some species or cultivars referrred to in links may be unavailable in Australia

General

Crape Myrtles Texas A&M University, USA

Crape myrtles rank high for summer color Office of Agricultural Communications Mississippi State University, USA

Lagerstroemia indica Trees of Miami, Florida, USA

Crape Myrtle Tree - Beautiful in Summer and Winter Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona

Crape Myrtle Conference: a Blooming Boon for Texas Texas A&M University System. Report on the conference and the city of McKinney's plans to become a world showcase for this genus

Care

The Crepe Murder Mystery Some dos and don't of crepe myrtle pruning at the Higher Ground website (Texas USA)

When to Prune Flowering Shrubs Texas A&M University

Improper pruning damages crape myrtles By Daniel E. Mullin, Leon County Extension, University of Florida, USA

Crape Myrtles University of North Carolina Wilmingtom (Pruning tips)

Crape Myrtle Culture The University of Georgia

Crape Myrtles Re-bloom Texas A&M University

Why Did My Crepe Myrtle Change Color? The Grumpy Gardener, Alabama

Crapemyrtle Pruning University of Florida

Lagerstroemia indica Landscape Plant Propagation Information, University of Florida

Varieties

Crapemyrtle Cultivars University of Arkansas, USA

U.S. National Arboretum Crapemyrtle Introductions

Queen's Crape Myrtle "Peppermint Lace" Lagerstroemia indica Moody Demonstration Garden, Arizonia

Lagerstroemia fauriei 'Fantasy' in: Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter, Volume 9, Number 1. JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Queen Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)

Lagerstroemia speciosa - Crepe Myrtle, Queen's Myrtle or Pride of India "My Dry Tropics Garden" blog, Qld

Put some regal splashes of color in your Miami-Dade landscape University of Florida (PDF) notes on Lagerstroemia speciosa

Lagerstroemia speciosa National Tropical Botanical Garden

Lagerstroemia speciosa Trees of Miami, Florida, USA

Others

Lagerstroemia archeriana The Taxonomy Research & Information Network