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Crepe myrtle bloom


When Do Crape Myrtles Bloom in Texas?

Posted by Joseph Barnes on Jan 10, 2022 1:56:52 PM

Many call the crape myrtle one of the most versatile plants in the Texas landscape.

Why? It flowers all summer, comes in a variety of sizes and colors, has beautiful bark, is drought tolerant once well established, is disease resistant, grows well in alkaline or acidic soil as long as it’s well-drained, and is relatively fast-growing with a long life span. The leaves even offer great fall color. What’s not to like?

Of course, the biggest value the crape myrtle brings is its blooms. The showy flowers come in dense clusters of crinkled, crepe paper-like flowers in shades of red, white, pink or lavender. The plant can vary in size from dwarf to large shrubs to trees and lives happiest in hot summer climates.

In spring, you might be impatient for your crape myrtles to bloom and showcase their prize blossoms. Let’s learn more about these favorites on your Texas commercial properties.

When Do Crape Myrtles Bloom in Texas?

The bloom times of crape myrtles vary, depending on a number of factors.

Some crape myrtles come into bloom with large clusters of flowers appearing on the tips of new branches in May, while other varieties wait until July or later.

Blooms continue into fall. After flowers fade and fall from the tree, the fruit can be cut from the plant to stimulate more blooms in 30 to 45 days.

Often property managers wonder why nearby crape myrtles will bloom before their own.

Crape myrtles love sun, so the amount of flowers they produce will be greatly reduced in light shade. Full shade can even prevent blooming altogether. So the location of your crape myrtles can make a big difference as to when they flower.

Another reason blooms may be late or nonexistent is because of improper pruning and care.


What Kind of Care Should My Crape Myrtles Receive During the Winter/Early Spring?

Despite what some people may believe or what you see some people do to their plants, crape myrtles don’t require heavy pruning to promote flower production.

While crape myrtles will produce flowers without any pruning, they will produce larger flowers and bloom more abundantly if lightly and properly pruned. By pruning your crape myrtles in late winter or early spring before growth starts, we can stimulate vigorous new growth when spring actually arrives.

Late winter is the best time to prune your crape myrtles because without leaves we can more easily see the plant’s branch structure and recognize which ones need removed. Fall pruning, especially in warm climates, can result in a quick growth response that prevents dormancy and makes winter freezes potentially terminal.

People who overprune their crape myrtles will usually cause them to bloom later (as much as four to eight weeks later) than they would if they were not pruned.

Also, the application of a high phosphorous, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can help promote healthy growth, insect and disease resistance, as well as more colorful and abundant blooms.

Crape Myrtles in the Fall and Winter

While crape myrtles are most valued for their summertime blooms, they have other attributes that make them desirable all year long.

In the fall, foliage turns into shades from delicate yellows to intense reds.

The attractive, exfoliating bark of crape myrtles peels away to expose a trunk which ranges in color from many handsome shades of brown to gray. This bark is especially noticeable in the winter months when the tree is leafless.

The Pride of Texas

Since the crape myrtle is the official state shrub of Texas, it’s no denying that it’s a favorite among people here and a commercial landscape enhancement we are asked about often.

If you need help tending to your crape myrtles or choosing the right crape myrtles to plant on your Texas commercial properties, contact Yellowstone Landscape.

When does a crepe myrtle bloom?

Wondering when crepe myrtle trees tend to bloom? Crepe myrtles are stunning year-round. But their beautiful flowers can transform from eye-catching to breathtaking in springtime.

Crepe myrtles typically start blooming sometime between mid-May and late June, depending upon the local climate and seasonal weather. These small flowering trees bloom on freshly-grown stems and tend to flower earliest in the warmest regions, with certain hybrid varieties having been developed to bloom quite early. Crepe myrtles can then continue to bloom throughout the summer for 3-4 months or until the first fall frost.

Read more to learn more about myrtle trees and how to care for them.

Crepe myrtles can bloom anytime from spring to early fall

Crape Myrtles bloom at different times in different areas

Crepe myrtles are warm-season bloomers

How old does a crepe myrtle have to be to bloom?

My Crepe Myrtle never blooms – what should you do?

Sunlight

Fertilizer

Pruning

Planting and care tips for crape myrtles

What types of crape myrtles should you buy?

FAQs

Do crepe myrtles bloom the first year?

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Oklahoma?

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Louisiana?

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Texas?

Resources

References

Crepe myrtles can bloom anytime from spring to early fall

Crepe myrtles are one of the most popular flowering trees in the US. Found in gardens all over the country. They have delicate flowers that range from white to red, yellow, and purple. While they are commonly grown as small trees (10-20 feet tall), they can also be formed into large shrubs or hedges (5-10 feet tall, depending upon the variety).

Crepe myrtles are warm-season plants and can bloom anytime from mid-spring through fall. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.

Here is a timing estimate of crepe myrtle blooming by USDA hardiness zone:

Bloom times vary with many different factors, including the weather that year, the variety/cultivar of crepe myrtle, and the local microclimate. It is not uncommon for trees in the same valley to start blooming several weeks apart.

Crape myrtles have colorful flowers that attract butterflies and bees. The plant also has beautiful foliage, great for making an attractive border or background to other plants.

“The crape myrtle is valued mainly for its long period of striking summer flowers. These showy flowers may be shades of white, pink, red or lavender. Bloom time varies, depending on the cultivar. Large clusters appear on the tips of new branches beginning in early summer and continue into fall.”

Crape Myrtle, Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center

Crape Myrtles bloom at different times in different areas

Many southern gardens have crape myrtle trees. That said, these plants are usually cold-hardy in Zones like 6-9, so there are some more temperate regions where they can also thrive.

Crepe myrtles bloom earliest in the warmest regions (typically Zone 9, and some cultivars can even be grown in Zone 10). Crepe myrtles may not bloom until July in cooler regions like Zone 6. Certain newer hybrids have root systems that may even sometimes survive Zone 5 winters, but the slow regrowth of the aboveground portions may delay blooming into August (if at all).

Crepe myrtles are warm-season bloomers

Crepe myrtles are large deciduous shrubs or small landscaping trees that grow well in warmer climates. They prefer well-drained soil and can withstand direct sunlight or full sun. Plant in the fall if you want to see them blossom in early spring.

Crape myrtles can take up to two years before flowering, but once they do, the blooms will last up to six months (if you happen to live in warmer Zones 8-9). There are many different cultivars of crape myrtles, so you’ll have plenty of options for color and variety.

How old does a crepe myrtle have to be to bloom?

Crepe myrtles can start blooming anywhere from age two to about six years old. It all depends on the size, how you care for it, and how much light it gets.

Plant your crape myrtle tree in a spot where it will get a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Trees grown in shady spots may not bloom very well.

My Crepe Myrtle never blooms – what should you do?

The blooming season for crape myrtles can be very long, but it depends on the variety. Some varieties will begin to flower as early as February and may continue until November or December. Different types also have different colors, and some are showier than others.

Sunlight

Lack of sunlight is a common cause of poorly-flowering crepe myrtles. The plant’s leaves should be receiving a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Lower amounts of light will suppress blooming as the plant cannot photosynthesize enough energy to support the process.

Fertilizer

Crepe myrtle trees are commonly fertilized in early spring when planted in nutrient-deficient soil. You can use any well-balanced organic fertilizer. Most are applied around the tree’s drip line.

Here are some good fertilizer options for crepe myrtles:

Be careful with how you fertilize your plant. Mississippi State University says excessive fertilization can lead to limited or no flowering, excessive vegetative growth, and potential winter damage. Only add fertilizer if the soil is deficient in nutrients (get a soil test).

Pruning

You may want to prune your crape myrtle shrub if you want it to flower all year round. When it comes to pruning crape myrtles, timing is crucial. Before new growth begins, prune your Crape Myrtle trees back in the winter or sometime in the early spring. You might lose future flowers pruning too late and remove all the new wood. Because of this, you should prune your Crape Myrtle a few weeks after the last frost.

Planting and care tips for crape myrtles

For a boost, fertilize your plant twice – in March and September. Use either water-soluble organic fertilizer (one teaspoon per gallon) or a controlled-release organic fertilizer (one-third of an ounce per square foot).

Clemson University explains that clay and various soil types, ranging in pH from 5.0 to 6.5, are best for Crape Myrtles. Even though it can withstand drought, it needs frequent watering to begin (approximately two years). This is particularly true when planted in hot climates where soil dries out quickly.

What types of crape myrtles should you buy?

Crape myrtles are one of the most popular flowering trees. There are so many different types and colors it’s hard to pick one. Majestic Beauty is a shrubby type that can grow up to 18 feet tall. It’s often pruned as an ornamental hedge or focal point because its flowers are showy white tubes that can be over 6 inches long! The leaves are bright green and waxy, which adds a nice touch during winter.

FAQs

Do crepe myrtles bloom the first year?

Crepe myrtles typically do not bloom in their first year. These plants usually start blooming between 2-5 years old. That said, the crepe myrtles sold in nurseries are generally already 1-2 years old, and, therefore may bloom during their first summer in your garden.

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, crepe myrtles typically start to bloom in late June or early July. The plants continue to flower through August until the first fall frost. Most of Oklahoma is in USDA Zones 6-7, so this state is on the colder range of the crepe myrtle growing range (Zones are 6-9), delaying spring flowering.

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, crepe myrtles can start blooming sometime between mid-May and early June. Much of Louisiana is in USDA Zones 8-9, putting this state at the warmer end of the crepe myrtle growing range. This means these plants flower earlier than in colder regions.

When do crepe myrtles bloom in Texas?

In southern Texas, crepe myrtles tend to start blooming in mid-May to early June. In northern Texas, crepe myrtles may not start blooming until late June or even early July.

Resources

References

Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a gardening expert and founder of Home for the Harvest. She's also a professional engineer, certified permaculture garden designer, and master gardener in training. Mary Jane has been featured by publications such as Real Simple, Mother Earth News, Homes & Gardens, Heirloom Gardener, and Family Handyman.

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