Crape Myrtles aren’t generally at the top of your mind when you think of fresh-cut flowers for arrangements. Still, these soft, ruffled blooms can be the perfect addition to a vase, adding a pop of color or a delicate feature to the arrangement. So, what’s the best way to use these lovely but sometimes messy blooms in your home?
Crape Myrtles are suitable for floral arrangements or a single bud vase. You can cut them from the tree anytime they’re in bloom, and they should hold up for at least a couple of days. You can use Crape Myrtles, with their flower mass and woody stems, in the same ways you’d use Hydrangeas or Phlox.
In this article, we’ll discuss using Crape Myrtles for your flower arrangements in more detail, including how to cut the blooms and how to make them last longer. We’ll also share some suggestions for other flowers to use with your Crape Myrtle blooms and discuss whether you can dry these delicate blooms.
Can You Use Crape Myrtle Blooms in Flower Arrangements?
You can use Crape Myrtle blooms in flower arrangements, but you should be prepared for some of the petals to fall off the stem and onto your table or countertop. Depending on the color, you may want to put something down to protect delicate surfaces from falling bits of bloom.
Still, Crape Myrtles are great for arrangements because of the variety of textures and depth they provide. They grow in a variety of vibrant colors, and the seeds and seed pods add extra layers of detail to the flowers.
While they may not be the first thing people think of for cut flower arrangements, the massive blooms and woody stems make them usable in many of the same ways you’d use Hydrangeas and Phlox in arrangements.
Some people even like to use dried Crape Myrtle seed pods as fillers in arrangements, adding another element of possibility with this versatile bloomer.
With smaller, tighter blooms, you will get a more uniform look. On the other hand, you can use larger, more loosely packed flowers for a flowy, natural style that you don’t always find with fresh floral arrangements.
How to Cut Crape Myrtle Blooms
The best time to cut your Crape Myrtle flowers is in the morning, while the temperatures are still cooler and the plant has more moisture content. You’ll need a pair of sharp, clean pruners and a bucket of water to take your cuttings. Start by choosing the blooms you want, looking for Crape Myrtle bunches that are tighter and with good color and minimal wilting. You don’t want to pick one that’s already losing all its petals before you snip it from the branch.
Once you’ve selected your flowers, cut the stem straight across, low enough so that the stem will stand up in your vase. Immediately place the cut stem in your water bucket until you’re ready to use them.
If you want to take foliage for an arrangement, look for shoots and suckers first. Often, you can pluck these softwood stems off with your fingers, and their bright green stems and foliage make for interesting additions to floral arrangements. Stems with seed pods can also be snipped off and used to add texture and different color components to the arrangement.
How to Extend the Vase Life of Crape Myrtle Blooms
You can probably tell by looking at your Crape Myrtle blooms that they don’t have a long shelf life compared to some other kinds of flowers that can last days or even weeks. These delicate blooms may only last a couple of days before they start shedding. However, if you can deal with the petals falling off onto your tabletop, you might be able to keep the arrangement up for several days before the bloom starts wilting altogether.
To extend the life of your Crape Myrtle’s bloom as much as possible, we recommend changing the water frequently. Also, try to keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from AC vents as much as possible.
You can try additives like flower food to help keep your Crape Myrtle blooms healthy, but changing the water daily is often sufficient.
Other Cut Flowers to Use in Your Crape Myrtle Arrangements
A simple Crape Myrtle in a small vase or bowl will provide a soft pop of freshness wherever you place it in your home. To enhance the look, you can add other fresh flowers. Here are some suggestions we think you’ll enjoy.
Simple Sophistication
White or green Hydrangeas, dark pink or purple Crape Myrtle, and Vitex for height. Add some bright green foliage to fill in.
Down-Home Simplicity
Dark-colored or white Crape Myrtles alongside Lilacs, Viburnum, or sprigs of Butterfly Bush will provide a homey sophistication for any occasion.
She’s a Wild One
Pairing Crape Myrtle blooms with your favorite native wildflowers makes for a rustic or boho-chic arrangement with an Americana feel. Blooms like Garden Phlox, Butterfly Weed, Coreopsis, and Coneflowers are perfect for such bouquets.
Sweet Romance
The delicacy of Crape Myrtle blooms pairs nicely with other soft, romantic flowers for a sweet, feminine look. Delphinium, Astilbe, Bleeding Hearts, Peonies, Salvia, and Baby’s Breath are all perfect accompaniments.
Can You Dry Crape Myrtle Blooms?
You can dry Crape Myrtle blooms, but it may be a little more challenging than other flower types. Crape Myrtle petals are already very delicate and tend to fall off when disturbed, so the drying process will certainly cause you to lose a few more. Still, you can enjoy these beauties after the season has passed as long as you handle them with care.
The best way to dry Crape Myrtle flowers is to hang them upside down in an area where they won’t be disturbed. You can do this on a doorknob that you don’t use much, in a closet, or on a cabinet handle. You’ll probably find some petals have fallen off your Crape bloom, but plenty should still be intact to make the process worthwhile.
You can also leave the blooms on the tree until they start to dry out naturally. This will shorten the process once you bring the bloom inside. Still, you’ll have to contend with falling petals anytime you disturb your Crape Myrtle’s flowers.
Do Crape Myrtles Bloom Again After Being Cut?
When you take flowers from other shrubs in your garden, you may think twice about removing them, especially if the plant doesn’t produce too many blooms. However, your Crape Myrtle produces abundant flowers every summer, so removing them for arrangements isn’t usually a concern. Still, you may be curious about whether a new bloom will grow back once you cut yours from the tree.
By trimming blooms from your Crape Myrtle, you can encourage it to continue blooming well into the late summer and early fall. Since Crape Myrtles bloom on new growth, some light trimming and clipping away blossoms will encourage new foliage and more flowers on your tree.
Depending on your tree’s size, here’s how much you should trim to encourage more blooms:
Crape Myrtle Height | What to Trim |
2 – 4 feet | Flowers or berries only |
4 – 8 feet | 1-2” |
10 – 14 feet | 4” |
14 – 18 feet | 6-8” |
Putting It All Together
Crape Myrtles aren’t normally the first choice for flower arrangements, but they’re actually a great choice to add some depth and character to the bouquet. Their soft, papery blooms and lush foliage make them great options to enjoy both indoors and out.
You can use Crape Myrtle in many of the same ways you’d use Hydrangeas, Phlox, or even Baby’s Breath. Just be prepared to have some shedding. So, you may not want to put bright pink blooms on top of an antique white table without something to protect the surface.
Crape Myrtle blooms won’t last as long as your arrangement of roses or tulips, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these beauties for at least a couple of days. Plus, the flowers are so abundant that you can easily switch them out as they start to wilt and shed, keeping your arrangement in place for even longer.