Crape Myrtle

flowering tree · ornamental plant · Asia

Colorful blooms. Crape myrtles produce stunning clusters of ruffled flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and orange that bloom throughout the summer months.

Papery peeling bark. As crape myrtles age, their bark naturally peels away in thin, papery sheets to reveal smooth, mottled wood underneath, making them beautiful even in winter.

Native to Asia. Crape myrtles originally come from the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Oceania before people started planting them in gardens worldwide.

Popular in gardens. Because they're so pretty and flower for a long time, crape myrtles are planted everywhere from home yards to parks and city streets in warm climates.

Deciduous varieties. Most crape myrtles lose their leaves in winter and grow them back in spring, though some kinds stay green all year round.