Crepe Myrtle
This web page created by Madison S. and Perla P. , Fall 2014
Common Name: Crepe Myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica
Location: On the grass in front of C6. Behind the main office.
Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
Sunset Zones: Zones 7-10, 12-14, 18-21 H1, H2
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Moderate water
Origin: China
Description: Can grow to 25 feet tall and wide. The trunk has smooth gray and light brown bark that peels off to show the pink inner bark.
Leaves: Dark green, 1 to 2 and a half inches long. The leaves are fairly narrow and tinged red on the opening. They turn orange or red in the fall.
Flowers: Crinkly petaled flowers that grow in clusters. 1 to 1 and a half inches long. Flowers can be red, white, pink, or purple.
Fruit: No fruit.
Fun Facts: Winter trunk and branches look polished. They are drought resistant, making them good plants to grow in California. Although it looks like a tree, the Crepe Myrtle is actually a shrub.