Crape Myrtle
Long-lasting summer color with year-round character
Crape Myrtle is a standout ornamental tree for Charlottesville and Central Virginia landscapes, offering vibrant summer flowers, attractive branching, fall color, and distinctive bark as it matures.
One reason we like Crape Myrtle is its ability to bring color to the landscape later in the season, after many spring-flowering trees and shrubs have finished blooming. Depending on the variety, flowers range from white and lavender to pink, purple, and deep red, making it easy to incorporate Crape Myrtle into different landscape styles and color palettes.
At Beebe Landscape Design, we often use Crape Myrtle where a property needs height and structure without the size and visual weight of a large shade tree. It works beautifully as a focal point within a landscape bed, near an entrance, along a driveway, around outdoor living spaces, or as part of a larger layered planting design.
Why Choose Crape Myrtle?
Long-lasting summer color that extends interest beyond the spring blooming season
Adds height and structure while maintaining the character of an ornamental tree
Wide range of flower colors and mature sizes to complement different homes and landscapes
Beautiful bark and branching that become increasingly distinctive as the tree matures
Seasonal fall color for additional interest later in the year
Versatile landscape presence that works as either a focal point or part of a larger planting design
Crape Myrtle in Central Virginia Landscapes
Crape Myrtle performs particularly well in sunny locations, making it a strong option for many properties throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Greene County, and the surrounding Central Virginia area.
Placement and variety selection matter. Some Crape Myrtles remain relatively compact, while others develop into substantial ornamental trees. We consider the mature height and spread, available sunlight, architecture of the home, surrounding plants, and overall landscape design before selecting a variety.
Giving the tree enough room to develop its natural canopy also creates a better long-term result and reduces the need for aggressive pruning later.
Designing With Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle pairs especially well with evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, hydrangeas, perennials, and lower-growing plants. The combination creates layers within the landscape, with the Crape Myrtle providing vertical structure and summer color while surrounding plants add texture and interest closer to the ground.
For properties with larger planting beds or outdoor living areas, a well-placed Crape Myrtle can become one of the features that visually anchors the entire space.
Considering Crape Myrtle for your property? Beebe Landscape Design can incorporate the right variety and placement into a professionally designed landscape for your Charlottesville or Central Virginia home.