Crape myrtles, often known as crepe myrtles, are deciduous shrubs and bushes from the Lagerstroemia genus. Though the totally different spellings are complicated, they each consult with the identical plant. On this article, we’ll clarify the distinction between crape myrtle and crepe myrtle.
What’s the Distinction Between Crape Myrtle and Crepe Myrtle?
Whether or not you name them crape myrtles or crepe myrtles, each names consult with the identical species. Crape myrtles are deciduous shrubs or small bushes from the Lagerstroemia genus within the loosestrife household (Lythraceae). Lagerstroemia indica, probably the most widespread species, is called the frequent crape myrtle.
Crape myrtle is the normal spelling utilized in most of North America. Nonetheless, crepe myrtle is the most typical spelling within the Southern United States. Different accepted spellings embrace crapemyrtle and crepemyrtle.
Regardless of being a non-native species, crepe myrtles are strongly related to the South. In truth, crepe myrtle is usually known as the “Lilac of the South”. Crepe myrtles are named for his or her papery, crepe-like flowers that bloom all through summer season and fall.
In Europe, crape myrtle seems to be the most typical spelling. The Royal Horticultural Society in the UK additionally refers to those crops as crape myrtles. Regardless of their frequent names, crape myrtles aren’t really associated to ‘true’ myrtles from the Myrtus genus or the Myrtaceae household.
The place Do Crape Myrtles Come From?
Crape myrtles are native to Asia, Australia, and components of the Indian Subcontinent. These deciduous shrubs have been dropped at the USA in 1786 and rapidly grew to become naturalized, particularly within the South. Crape myrtles are additionally naturalized all through Europe.
Crape myrtles thrive in tropical or subtropical climates. As such, crape myrtles develop greatest in USDA Zones 6 to 9. Though crape myrtles choose heat climates, they’re surprisingly cold-hardy and might tolerate winter temperatures as little as -5ºF. Nonetheless, crape myrtles do require safety from chilly, sturdy winds.
Methods to Care For Crape Myrtle
Soil Situations
Crape myrtles thrive in well-draining, nutrient-poor soils that retain some moisture. Crape myrtles choose barely acidic soils with pH ranges between 5.0 and 6.5, though impartial soils will likely be superb.
Daylight Necessities
Crape myrtles want at the least six hours of full solar day-after-day. The morning solar is preferable to direct afternoon daylight, which is extra intense (and might result in yellowing crape myrtle leaves). South or west-facing areas present crape myrtles with the perfect quantity of daylight.
Watering
Water established crape myrtles each two weeks or so to maintain the soil moist and extra steadily in sizzling, dry situations. Water newly planted crape myrtles a few times weekly for the primary few years. This helps the plant set up a sound root system.
Fertilizer
Feed older crape myrtles as soon as through the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. This gives loads of vitamins for the event of recent leaves and flowers. Fertilize newly planted crape myrtles as soon as a month throughout their first rising season.
Pruning & Trimming
Crape myrtles fluctuate in dimension, impacting how usually you need to prune them. Dwarf varieties received’t want a lot pruning as a result of they solely develop between 2 and 6 toes tall. Nonetheless, some forms of crape myrtle develop as shrubs or small bushes that attain roughly 30 toes tall and 15 toes vast.
Fairly than pruning too usually, assess your backyard first and decide what sort of crape myrtle you possibly can accommodate. Select a crape myrtle that stays at a manageable dimension to your area. This lets you scale back the pruning you’ll must do.
Crape Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle FAQs:
Is it Crepe Myrtle or Crape Myrtle?
Crepe myrtle and crape myrtle are each used to consult with crops from the Lagerstroemia genus. Crape myrtle is the accepted spelling throughout most of North America. Nonetheless, crepe myrtle is the most typical title within the Southern United States.
What’s One other Title for Crape Myrtle?
Crape myrtles are generally known as crepe myrtles within the Southern United States. Different names for crape myrtles embrace crapemyrtle and crepemyrtle. Indian crape myrtle refers back to the Lagerstroemia indica species.
Can a Crepe Myrtle Be a Bush or a Tree?
Crepe myrtles develop as bushes, shrubs, or small bushes. They’re deciduous crops with a number of trunks and panicles of gorgeous, crepe-like flowers. Crepe myrtles are sometimes used as decorative crops for landscaping initiatives.
Wrapping Up
Vegetation from the Lagerstroemia genus are generally known as crape myrtles all through most of North America. Nonetheless, these deciduous shrubs are known as crepe myrtles within the Southern United States. Each spellings are appropriate and can be utilized interchangeably. Different spellings embrace crapemyrtle and crepemyrtle.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener residing in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s captivated with nature and sustainability with a concentrate on gardening and wildlife.
