The Best Crape Myrtle for Zone 7

Suitable Cultivars

• Hybrids that have Lagerstroemia fauriei as one parent develop into large trees in USDA zone 7, according to the U.S. National Arboretum website. They include the pink-flowering “Hopi” (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei “Hopi”), white-flowering “Natchez” (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei “Natchez”) and coral-pink-flowering “Tuscarora” (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei “Tuscarora”). All were bred by the U.S. National Arboretum for disease-resistance and cold-hardiness, and they are hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9.

Winter Interest

• If you want a crape myrtle that is visible all year long, choose one hardy in USDA zone 6. In USDA zone 7, however, it’s still possible the tree will die to the ground in winter and regrow in spring, like a herbaceous perennial plant. A crape myrtle killed to the ground is unlikely to attain the height, shape and profuse flower production for which crape myrtles are known.

Hardiness Tips

• Plant your crape myrtle in a spot that receives full sun exposure and is protected from cold, drying winter winds. Don't plant it against a wall, which may radiate heat and induce premature spring growth. Don’t fertilize or prune the plant in fall; fertilizer forces new, tender growth. Deeply water the new tree to promote a strong root system, but reduce watering in fall to let the tree harden off for winter. Mulch the plant's base with leaves, straw or another loose material after the plant drops its leaves drop and becomes dormant. A young plant or a dwarf cultivar can be protected from winter weather by covering it with sheets of burlap or by erecting barriers such as bales of hay or lathe fencing.

Growth Habit

• Crape myrtles are large, multitrunked trees with showy flowers. They are considered to look good all seasons and need minimal care. They have widely spreading crowns and grow 4 to 30 feet tall, depending on the variety. Their large cones of small flowers appear in late summer and are followed by dark-blue berries. The flowers are white or in a range of pinkish-purple tones, some close to red and some close to purple. The trees boast brilliant fall leaf color and cinnamon-hued, peeling bark.