Crape myrtle plants are popular ornamental shrubs and trees known for their vibrantly colored flowers that bloom throughout the summer. They are native to Asia and feature showy blossoms in pink, red, purple, and white shades.

The ruffled flowers look like crepe paper, giving the plant its name. Crape myrtles are deciduous plants with peeling bark that reveal unique mottled trunks in cinnamon shades.

They adapt to many soil types and tolerate heat, drought, and urban pollution. Some crape myrtle varieties are dwarf shrubs under 3 feet, while tree types can grow up to 30 feet tall or more.

Landscapers love using crape myrtles for their long season of eye-catching color and attractive bark. They require total sun exposure and pruning to maintain their form and maximize flowering.

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