Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Assorted Crape Myrtle Bush
Assorted Crape Myrtle Bush is crape myrtle grown as a many-stemmed shrub, in a mix of flower colors such as pink, red, white and lavender. Big clusters of crinkled flowers cover the branch tips from about June through September, when the Valley heat brings them on. In fall the leaves turn orange and red before they drop, and the smooth, peeling bark shows through winter. Give it full sun, regular water and soil that drains.
Best for: summer color in beds and borders, groupings and rows, entry plantings, and yards that want fall color and winter bark.
Big flower clusters open from about June through September, because crape myrtle needs summer heat to bloom well. Snip off spent clusters and it often blooms again.
Plant a row or group about 8 to 12 feet apart. Mixing flower colors gives a bed or border a long, colorful summer show.
After the summer flowers, the leaves turn orange and red in fall and drop. The smooth, peeling bark on the stems stands out in winter.
Hot west walls and strong reflected heat scorch the leaves in mid to late summer. It grows poorly in sandy soil, and powdery mildew shows up in shade and still air.
- Row or grouping8-12 ft apart
- Tighter row8 ft apart, center to center
For the first two weeks, water every 1 to 2 days in summer or every 3 to 4 days in cool months. Ease to about once a week in summer by the second month.
Soak it deeply every 1 to 2 weeks in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter. Water at the edge of the plant, not against the stems.
Clip off old seed pods, dried blooms and dead or crossing stems in late winter. Skip hard topping, and never take more than a quarter of the plant in one year.
If new leaves yellow between green veins, apply an iron product made for alkaline soil in spring. Repeat when the yellow returns.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What colors come in the assorted crape myrtle bush?
Crape myrtle comes in white, pink, red, lavender and purple shades. This listing is an assorted mix, so flower color varies from plant to plant. Plant several together for a mixed-color group.
How big does a crape myrtle bush get?
Size depends on the variety, from dwarf shrubs about 3 feet tall to plants over 20 feet. Many bush forms land between 6 and 20 feet, so leave room and prune in late winter to shape it.
When does crape myrtle bloom in Phoenix?
It blooms from about June through September, because it needs summer heat to flower well. Snip off spent flower clusters to get another round.
How far apart should I plant crape myrtle?
Plant it about 8 to 12 feet apart center to center for a row or group. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How much water does crape myrtle need?
It needs regular water, more than a desert shrub. Once rooted, soak it deeply every 1 to 2 weeks in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter.
Can crape myrtle take full sun and reflected heat?
Give it full sun for the most flowers, but avoid hot west walls and strong reflected heat. Those spots scorch the leaf edges in mid to late summer.
Why are my crape myrtle leaves yellow?
Yellow new leaves with green veins mean iron trouble in alkaline soil. Apply an iron product made for alkaline soil in spring, and repeat if needed.
When and how should I prune a crape myrtle bush?
Prune in late winter while it is bare. Clip off old seed pods and dead or crossing stems. Do not top it, because hard topping ruins the shape.
What is the white powder on the leaves?
The white powder is powdery mildew, which is worst in shade and still air. Plant it in full sun with room around it so air moves through the leaves.
What pests does crape myrtle get?
Aphids are the most common, and their honeydew can turn leaves black with sooty mold. Spray them off with water or use insecticidal soap.
Is crape myrtle safe for pets?
Crape myrtle is listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. No special steps are needed around pets.
Assorted Crape Myrtle Bush for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Crape myrtle is one of the most popular summer bloomers in the Valley, and this listing is the bush form in assorted colors. This page covers its size, spacing, watering, sun, pruning and the common problems to watch for.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does a crape myrtle bush get in Arizona?
Size depends on the variety, from dwarf shrubs about 3 feet tall to large plants over 20 feet. Many bush forms run 6 to 20 feet tall. Late winter pruning keeps it shaped.
When do crape myrtles bloom in Phoenix?
They bloom from about June through September, since they need summer heat to flower. Snip off spent flower clusters and they often bloom again.
How far apart to plant crape myrtle
Plant about 8 to 12 feet apart center to center for a row or grouping. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How often to water crape myrtle in the Valley
Once rooted, soak it deeply every 1 to 2 weeks in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter. It needs more water than a desert shrub.
Where to plant crape myrtle in a Phoenix yard
Full sun gives the most flowers. Avoid hot west walls and strong reflected heat, which scorch the leaves in late summer, and avoid sandy soil.
How to prune a crape myrtle bush
Prune in late winter while it is bare. Clip seed pods and dead or crossing stems, and never top it hard.
Why crape myrtle leaves turn yellow in Arizona
Yellow new leaves with green veins point to iron trouble in alkaline soil. An iron product made for alkaline soil in spring fixes it, and it may need repeating.
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