Crape myrtles (also spelled crepe myrtles) are flowering shrubs and trees available in shades ranging from white and pale pink to vivid red, lavender, and purple. Choosing a color that suits your garden—and matching it to the plant’s mature size and growing conditions—helps you get a display that looks good without creating extra pruning or care problems. Before buying, check your climate, available space, and the plant’s tag; bloom color can vary somewhat by cultivar and growing conditions.
What You’ll Need
- A sunny planting site with room for the plant’s mature height and spread
- A plant label or reliable cultivar information listing flower color and mature size
- A soil test kit or local soil-test service, if you are unsure about drainage or soil conditions
- A shovel, water, and mulch if you plan to plant a crape myrtle
- A camera or garden notebook to compare colors and record cultivar names
Step-by-Step
- Decide where the color needs to work. Look at the planting area in summer, when crape myrtles flower. Note nearby house colors, fences, paving, and plants that will bloom at the same time. White flowers brighten a shaded-looking palette and pair easily with most colors. Pink and red make a stronger focal point; lavender and purple can complement cool-toned flowers and foliage. Consider the view from indoors as well as from the street.
- Confirm that the site suits the plant. Crape myrtles flower best in full sun, generally at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. They need soil that drains reasonably well; persistent standing water can damage roots. Check the cultivar’s cold-hardiness guidance for your area, especially where winter temperatures are low. A plant that is stressed by shade, unsuitable soil, or cold injury may flower poorly regardless of its advertised color.
- Choose a color using a named cultivar, not a broad label alone. Nursery labels such as “pink” or “red” are useful starting points, but named cultivars provide a better way to compare expected color, size, and other traits. Flower shades may be described differently by different sellers, and photographs can be affected by lighting and editing. Look up the cultivar through a reputable nursery, botanical garden, or university extension resource, and confirm that the label matches the plant you are buying.
- Match mature size to the planting space. Crape myrtles range from compact shrubs to large trees. Read the expected mature height and width, then allow enough room for the crown and roots. Don’t select a large cultivar for a narrow bed on the assumption that severe annual cutting will keep it small. If you want a low plant, choose a naturally compact cultivar; if you want a shade tree or tall screen, select one with a suitable tree-form habit and enough clearance from buildings, paths, and overhead lines.
- Compare more than flower color. Check the plant’s growth habit, foliage, bark, and resistance to common local problems, including powdery mildew where it occurs. Some cultivars have attractive fall foliage or distinctive exfoliating bark, so the plant can contribute outside its flowering season. If you are choosing between several colors, compare plants that are similar in size and habit; otherwise, you may end up choosing a color that doesn’t fit the site.
- Inspect the actual plant when possible. If plants are flowering, compare their blooms in daylight and check the cultivar name on each tag. Avoid relying only on a nursery photograph or a temporary color display. If the plant is not in bloom, take a picture of the label and verify the cultivar before purchase. Keep the tag after planting so you can identify the plant later.
- Plant correctly to help the expected color develop. Plant at the same depth it grew in its nursery container, in a sunny, well-drained location. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the root area evenly moist while the plant establishes, without leaving it waterlogged. A layer of organic mulch can help conserve moisture; keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk. Follow local guidance for planting season and watering, since climate and soil affect how quickly a new plant settles in.
- Give it light, appropriate care, and time. A newly planted crape myrtle may take time to establish and flower well. Water during prolonged dry periods, especially while young, and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Prune only as needed to remove dead or crossing branches or to maintain a suitable structure. The cultivar determines the basic flower color; fertilizer, pruning, or soil amendments will not reliably change a pink crape myrtle into a purple one.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing by color alone: A beautiful flower shade is not a good fit if the plant will outgrow the space or cannot tolerate the local winter.
- Assuming soil changes will recolor blooms: Crape myrtle flower color is primarily a cultivar trait. Do not add soil acidifiers or other amendments in an attempt to change it.
- Expecting every photo to show the exact shade: Light, camera settings, flower age, and weather can affect how a bloom looks in a photograph.
- Planting in too much shade: Insufficient sun commonly reduces flowering and can make a color display less impressive.
- Pruning heavily to control size: Cutting back large branches every year is not a substitute for selecting a cultivar that fits the site. It can also leave an unattractive structure.
- Overfertilizing: Too much nitrogen may favor shoots and leaves over flowers. Fertilize only when a soil test or local recommendations indicate a need.
Tips
- Use one cultivar for a consistent color block, or combine colors only after checking their mature sizes and bloom timing.
- Place lighter flowers where they will be visible in evening light, and use saturated colors where you want a clear focal point.
- Keep the cultivar tag or record the name, source, and planting date in a garden notebook.
- Ask a local nursery or cooperative extension service which cultivars perform well in your region; local experience can be more useful than a generic color chart.
- Allow for seasonal variation. The same cultivar may appear slightly different as flowers age or under different light and weather conditions.
Troubleshooting
The flowers are not the color expected: First verify the plant’s cultivar name and compare it with a reliable description. A mislabeled plant is possible, but lighting, bloom age, and photographs can also explain a difference. If the plant is otherwise healthy, give the flowers time to mature before judging the shade. Soil amendments will not correct a cultivar mismatch.
The plant has few or no flowers: Check how much direct sun it receives, whether it is still establishing, and whether it has been pruned at an inappropriate time or too severely. Review watering and drainage, and avoid excess nitrogen. If it is growing in deep shade, consider whether a sunnier location is practical while the plant is young enough to move.
The color looks washed out or inconsistent: Compare blooms in natural daylight and at similar stages of opening. Heat, rain, and flower age may affect their appearance. If only part of the plant is affected, inspect those branches for stress or damage rather than assuming the color itself has changed.
The plant is too large for its location: Don’t keep cutting it back to thick stubs. Ask a qualified arborist or local extension service about options, which may include selective structural pruning or replacing it with a smaller cultivar. For a new planting, use the mature-size information on the label to avoid the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors do crape myrtles come in?
Cultivars produce white, pink, red, lavender, and purple flowers. Exact shades and color descriptions vary by cultivar and seller.
Can I change a crape myrtle’s flower color?
Not reliably. Flower color is mainly determined by the cultivar, so select a different named cultivar if you want another color.
Do crape myrtle colors vary during the season?
Flowers can look different as they open and age, and light and weather affect how their color appears. This is usually a change in appearance, not a permanent change to the plant’s cultivar.
Which crape myrtle color is best?
There is no single best color. Choose a shade you like that suits the surrounding landscape, then confirm the plant’s mature size, hardiness, and sunlight needs.
Will a crape myrtle flower in partial shade?
It may survive, but flowering is generally better with full sun—about six or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Deep shade can substantially reduce blooms.
When should I buy a crape myrtle if I want to see its color?
Buying while it is flowering makes direct comparison easier. If you shop outside bloom season, use the cultivar name and verify the description with a trustworthy local source.