Crape Myrtles (sometimes spelled Crepe Myrtle) are known for their showy blooms in shades of pink, white, lavender, and even vibrant reds and purples. These trees and shrubs are staples in southern landscapes. So, whether you already have one of these beauties on your lawn or are thinking of planting one, here’s everything you need to know about their soft, delicate blooms.
Crape Myrtle blooms in mid-to-late spring and early summer until the temperatures cool down for fall. Depending on where you live, you could enjoy blooms well into September. Bloom time ultimately depends on the variety and growth conditions, but pruning can affect your flowers, too.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about your Crape Myrtle’s blooms, including when to expect flowers, the duration, and when to expect blooms on a new plant. We’ll also share some things you should (and shouldn’t!) do to encourage better blooming on your Crape Myrtle.
What Time of Year Do Crape Myrtles Bloom?
Crape Myrtles are summer bloomers, meaning these trees and shrubs are often covered with flowers during the year’s hottest months. That’s one of the things that makes Crape Myrtles so appealing. They provide pops of color to the landscape when other plants may not be blooming. The exact timing for your Crape Myrtle to start blooming depends on the cultivar and your location’s environmental conditions. For example, Crape Myrtles in southern Florida may start blooming sooner than trees in the Carolinas because of the temperature differences.
So, what month do Crape Myrtles usually start blooming? Crape Myrtles typically begin blooming by the middle of May, depending on the cultivar. Some varieties may bloom a little later, but by the middle of June, you should start seeing flowers on your tree. Hybrid varieties typically flower first, with small, semi-dwarf cultivars blooming just a few weeks later.
Some cultivars known for their early flowers, such as the “Early Bird” hybrid cultivars, which can start blooming in late April to early May. These continue reblooming for the next three to four months under acceptable conditions. The Sioux variety typically starts flowering in the later part of July, with blooms lasting well into October. The Tonto and Dynamite varieties also follow a similar schedule of blooms beginning in early summer and lasting well into the middle of fall.
Will Crape Myrtles Bloom Once or Multiple Times Each Year?
Another great thing about Crape Myrtles is that they aren’t typically “one and done” bloomers. So, if you’re wondering if you’ll get to enjoy those soft, paper-like blooms all summer long, the answer is yes! Crape Myrtles will normally continue to bloom until the temperatures start dropping during fall.
Once your Crape Myrtle begins flowering, you can expect it to continue for at least 90 days. Depending on the conditions, some varieties may continue to flower for the next four months. You can do some things to encourage your tree to continue blooming. Ensuring the tree gets enough water and plenty of sunlight is key. Also, you can do some light trimming after the first round of blooms to encourage new growth and additional flowers.
How Long Do Crape Myrtle Blooms Last?
Crape Myrtles are known for their long-lasting blooms, which continue to add color to your landscape all summer long and into fall. In most cases, Crape Myrtle blooms last between three to four months. As the summer continues, you should be able to keep enjoying your flowers well into late August and September.
Cultivars that get an earlier start with blooms in June or early July can continue with an additional round of blooms as long as the weather stays nice and warm. Some cultivars are bred specifically for longer bloom times. For example, the Freedom cultivar has one of the longest bloom times of around 120 days, with new flowers growing directly on top of the existing blooms.
Does Crape Myrtle Bloom on Old or New Wood?
Crape Myrtle blooms on new wood, meaning that flower buds develop from this year’s new growth. Unlike old wood bloomers, which set their buds on last year’s growth, you don’t have to worry about cutting away your flowers if you prune your Crape Myrtle in the winter or very early spring.
Crape Myrtles need to have new, healthy growth each spring so they can produce blooms come summertime. So, pruning or fertilizing at the wrong time can have a negative impact on your Crape’s flowers. Because Crape Myrtles bloom on new wood, it’s possible to get additional flowers from some early blooming varieties. By removing the seed pods, the tree may generate new growth that can support an additional round of colorful blooms toward the end of summer.
How Long Does It Take a New Crape Myrtle to Start Blooming?
Crape Myrtles are fast-growing trees, shooting up two feet or more each year. With their rapid growth, you may still wonder how long it takes for a Crape Myrtle to mature. Crape Myrtles typically reach maturity within five to ten years, but you won’t have to wait that long to start seeing blooms.
If you’ve planted a new Crape Myrtle, chances are you’re eager to see signs of flowering and wondering when you should expect blooms. In most cases, Crape Myrtles don’t bloom the first year. It usually takes at least two years for the shrub or tree to become established and produce blooms.
In fact, while your Crape Myrtle is getting settled in in the first year, you probably won’t see much growth. During the second year, the plant typically takes off and starts growing taller and lusher once the root system is fully established. While there’s no set age for Crape Myrtles to reach before they bloom, chances are that your tree will need to be at least three years old (maybe even five) before you start seeing those soft pops of color each summer.
You can encourage blooming as soon as possible by planting your Crape Myrtle in a spot where it will get plenty of sunshine each day. Planting your Crape Myrtle in the right location and giving it proper care from the start is essential to having a healthy tree that will produce blooms sooner.
To learn everything you need to know about where, when, and how to plant your Crape Myrtle, check out this article.
When Do Crape Myrtles Bud?
Crape Myrtle buds start forming during spring, around the same time the shrub starts to leaf out. Once you start seeing shoots of new growth, you should expect buds to start forming soon after. So, you should start seeing buds by May or even sooner, depending on where you live. Crape Myrtles usually come back a little sooner in warmer areas than in areas with more late frosts.
Still, Crape Myrtles are usually some of the last flowering trees and shrubs to leaf out and bud, so don’t be alarmed if you’re not seeing new growth when the rest of your landscape is starting to green up and come back. A late frost or abnormally harsh winter may delay your Crape Myrtle’s new growth, so give it some time before you start pruning away what may look like dead growth. It’s important to know when your Crape Myrtle starts setting buds so you don’t accidentally cut them away. That’s why you don’t want to prune your Crape Myrtle too late into the spring months.
To learn more about what to expect from your Crape Myrtle every season, including spring and summer, you can read this article, which discusses each season in detail.
Should You Deadhead Spent Crape Myrtle Blooms?
Whether or not you should deadhead spent blooms is a topic that divides many gardeners. It’s not something that’s necessary in all cases, but if you do it correctly, deadheading can encourage more blooms.
Deadheading is when you remove dead or dying flowers from the plant using your pruning shears. Some people deadhead flowers to clean up their plant’s appearance or just rid the shrub of unsightly faded blooms. In other cases, people deadhead to encourage additional flowering or new growth.
Choosing to deadhead spent Crape Myrtle blooms really comes down to personal preference. Leaving the faded blooms on the tree won’t cause any problems or negative effects on the plant. In some cases, it may be impossible to deadhead spent blooms on trees that are too big and tall for you to reach the canopy.
Still, if you choose to snip away dead or wilted blooms, it may result in a second round of flowering if you time it right. You can snip off the dead or spent flower blooms themselves or the seed pods that come after the soft petals have fallen away. In most cases, Crape Myrtles will produce another round of blooms as long as the weather stays warm and they get plenty of sunshine. That will happen naturally, whether or not you deadhead blooms.
So, many owners choose not to bother cutting away spent blooms because they find it to be more trouble than it’s worth or an unnecessary chore. It’s one of those things you can do – or not do – and in most cases, it won’t make too much of a noticeable difference.
Can Crape Myrtle Flowers Change Colors?
Crape Myrtles can’t change colors based on their conditions like other flowering plants. Unlike Hydrangeas, which can change color based on the soil’s pH, Crape Myrtle varieties grow with a specific bloom color for their entire lifespan. So, suppose you’re finding that your Crape Myrtle blooms look a little different than normal. In that case, it’s typically a temporary condition due to environmental conditions rather than an actual color change.
For example, you may find a red Crape Myrtle with blooms that sometimes look more pink or even white. This alteration of the bloom’s hue may be due to insufficient sunlight. This is a condition specific to red Crape Myrtles, so if you’re looking for that deep vibrant red color, be sure to plant your Crape somewhere that it will receive a full six plus hours of sunlight each day.
While Crape Myrtle blooms don’t typically change colors, their foliage and bark may put on a colorful show during fall once the temperatures start dropping. Crape leaves may turn red, yellow, and orange before they fall off the tree. Depending on the cultivar, you may find that your Crape’s bark peels off in lovely shades of rich brown, orange, red, or lighter shades of cream and white. In many cases, you won’t see these traits until the tree reaches maturity, so it’s something to look forward to as your Crape Myrtle ages into your landscape.
Check out this article for more information about Crape Myrtle bark and why it peels and sheds.
Putting It All Together
Most people add a Crape Myrtle to their landscape because they love the look of the soft, delicate blooms exploding with pops of color in their lush foliage. Whether you’re planting a new Crape or already have one in your yard, you’ll probably find yourself looking forward to summer’s bloom season.
Crape Myrtles are a little sluggish compared to many other flowering trees and shrubs when it comes to their bloom time. They’re usually some of the last plants to leaf out and flower in the landscape, but they’re worth waiting for. By June and July, you should see a full display of Crape Myrtle blooms that will easily last for the next couple of months.
The flip side of the later bloom time is that you’ll be able to enjoy the flowers well into the summer and early fall. You may even find that your Crape Myrtle is still showing off its bloom display long after your other shrubs have shed their flowers under the blazing summer sun. Crape Myrtles thrive in heat and humidity, and their blooms don’t wilt away or suffer from exposure to full sunlight. It’s just one of the many reasons to love these flowering trees and why they’re staples for the South.