A most veratile and beautiful landscape plant, but one of the most often abused plants in southern landscapes.

All across the South, the practice of severe pruning during the dormant season is regularly done in the belief that doing so will produce better blooms. Others believe that pruning is necessary to maintain the shape and height of the tree. There is no requirement to prune! Planting properly sized varieties, suited to their location and allowing them to grow naturally is recommended.

DON'T COMMIT CRAPE MURDER!

They have never been cut back and yet they bloom.  Imagine that!

For comprehensive information on Crape Myrtles, their history, horticultural and botanical information, follow the link above to Texas A&M plant answers, where you also will find pictures of many of them, their mature height and other characteristics.

Greg Grant addresses the problem, seen all across the South, of the excessive pruning of Crape Myrtle trees sometimes called "Crape Murder."