Every year when the weather turns warm, we are treated to the dazzling floral displays of blooming crape myrtles…and their colorful show lasts through September. This Texas jewel has one of the longest blooming seasons; plus they are among the toughest, most adaptable plants around.
Crape myrtles come in so many sizes now that they can be used in almost any location with six or more hours of sun. The miniature and weeping varieties such as White Cascade, Violet Filli and World’s Fair (light red) stay below 2 feet tall, making them perfect for small spaces including containers.
Then there’s a large assortment of dwarf crapes that top out between 3 to 6 feet. A few of these little beauties include Tightwad (red), Pocomoke (dark pink), Velma’s Royal Delight (purple) and the “Petite” series which offers an array of colors.
The “Intermediates” which grow to just 8 to 12 feet, are ideal for smaller residential lots. Choose varieties like Siren Red (dark red), Zuni (dark lavender), or Acoma(white). And for those who love the standard size tree-form crape myrtles that average 15 to 20 feet, try the true red Dynamite or Red Rocket, Sioux (pink) or Tuscarora (coral pink). The white blooming Natchez reaches 30 feet and is treasured for its dark cinnamon brown bark.
Crape myrtles are the most consistently beautiful plants that Texas has to offer; they’re drought tolerant once established, and many have brilliant fall color. They laugh at our hot and humid summers!
Neil Sperry, host of Texas Gardening on WBAP radio and founding member and board member of the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney, will be at Covington’s from 2:30-3:30 Saturday, June 16 to share tips on choosing the right crape myrtles for your landscape and general care.
A rep from the Crape Myrtle Trails will be available all morning among to provide information and answer questions about these beautiful blooming trees.
Buy your crape myrtles on this special day and Covington’s will donate 10% of its crape myrtle sales to the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney!
Written by Joe Covington, owner of Covington’s Nursery & Landscape Co. at 5518 President George Bush Hwy at SH66 in Rowlett.
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