Crepe Myrtles
Crepe Myrtle trees, native to China, were first introduced to the southern colonies in the 1780s by Andre Michaux. These beautiful summer trees bloom in a variety of colors ranging from pink, purple, white and red flowers. In the fall, leaves turn a brilliant red or orange and the bark appears to peel away from the trunk. Crepe myrtles love heat, humidity, tolerate drought and grow quickly. Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, crepe myrtles have become the South’s most popular ornamental tree.
All crepe myrtles bloom on new wood and should be pruned in winter or early spring. During the growing season, spent flowers should be clipped off to promote a second, lighter bloom. Pruning the trees down to the stubs ruins the natural form and encourages the growth of spindly branches that are too weak to hold up flowers.
Crepe myrtles are found everywhere in the South, from Virginia to Texas. These trees thrive in hardiness zones 7-10, where the bloom extends from mid-June to September. Crepe myrtle roots tolerate more cold than the branches and stems, which suffer some damage during freezes and may even die back to the ground when temperatures plummet below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of these trees suffered significant damage or died after experiencing continuous freezing temperatures in eastern NC several years ago.
Although no plant can be confidently declared as “deer proof”, the crepe myrtle comes extremely close. Deer seldom eat any variety of crepe myrtle, making this a great option for your garden or landscaping plans.
Stop by the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center and enjoy the colorful crepe myrtles scattered throughout the rest area!
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