Crape Myrtle Trees for Sale

Houston's Favorite Summer-Blooming Tree

When the Houston summer heat drives most flowering plants into survival mode, the Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) comes alive with explosive color. From June through September, these tough, heat-loving trees produce enormous clusters of ruffled blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, lavender, and white. Add in attractive peeling bark, graceful multi-trunk forms, and brilliant orange-red fall foliage, and it is easy to see why the Crape Myrtle is one of the most widely planted landscape trees in the Katy, Richmond, and Houston area.

Bill Bownds Nursery carries a wide selection of Crape Myrtle varieties, from compact trees suitable for foundation planting to tall specimens that rival shade trees. We grow our Crape Myrtles locally so they are fully acclimated to our climate and ready to thrive in your landscape from the day they are planted.

Popular Varieties and Colors

We carry varieties from the proven Lagerstroemia hybrid programs, including the popular 'Tuscarora', 'Natchez', 'Muskogee', and 'Dynamite' cultivars, as well as newer introductions. Here is a guide to color and size selection:

By Color

• Red: 'Dynamite', 'Red Rocket', 'Arapaho' - Vivid true-red blooms that do not fade in heat.
• Pink: 'Tuscarora', 'Sioux', 'Pink Velour' - Ranging from coral-pink to hot pink.
• Purple/Lavender: 'Muskogee', 'Catawba', 'Purple Magic' - Cool-toned blooms for contrast.
• White: 'Natchez', 'Acoma', 'Sarah's Favorite' - Pristine white flowers with striking bark.

By Mature Size

• Compact (8 to 15 feet): 'Acoma', 'Sioux' - Ideal for foundation plantings and small yards.
• Medium (15 to 25 feet): 'Tuscarora', 'Catawba', 'Pink Velour' - Versatile size for most landscapes.
• Large (25 to 35 feet): 'Natchez', 'Muskogee', 'Dynamite' - Substantial trees that provide both flowers and shade.

Growth Timeline and Mature Size

Crape Myrtles are fast growers in the Houston climate, adding 2 to 4 feet of height per year when young. Here is what to expect:

• Year 1: Establishment year. The tree focuses on root growth. Expect modest top growth and light blooming.
• Year 2-3: Growth takes off. Expect 2 to 4 feet of new growth per year and progressively heavier bloom cycles.
• Year 4-7: The tree reaches its characteristic multi-trunk form. Peak blooming begins. The attractive exfoliating bark becomes visible.
• Mature size: Depends on variety, ranging from 8 feet for compact cultivars to 30 to 35 feet for large varieties. Most reach mature height within 10 years.

Planting Guide for Texas Clay Soil

Crape Myrtles are among the most forgiving trees you can plant in Houston-area clay soil. They tolerate poor drainage, compacted soil, and reflected heat from pavement and buildings. Here is how to plant them for best results:

Site Selection

• Full sun is mandatory. Crape Myrtles need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight for heavy blooming. Shade reduces flowering dramatically.
• Good air circulation reduces the incidence of powdery mildew, the Crape Myrtle's most common disease in our area.
• Crape Myrtles excel in hot, sunny locations that stress other plants: parking lot islands, street medians, south-facing foundations, and pool areas.

Planting Steps

• Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.
• Set the root ball so the top is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
• Backfill with native clay soil. Crape Myrtles perform well in unamended clay.
• Mulch with 2 to 3 inches of hardwood mulch or pine bark.
• Water deeply at planting and weekly for the first growing season.

Care and Maintenance

Watering

Crape Myrtles are remarkably drought-tolerant once established. During the first year, water deeply once per week. After establishment, supplemental watering is typically only needed during extended drought. Overwatering actually promotes foliage at the expense of blooms.

Fertilizing

Apply a balanced fertilizer (such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10) in early spring as new growth emerges. A second light application in June can boost summer blooming. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leafy growth instead of flowers.

Pruning: Avoid "Crape Murder"

This is the most important care topic for Crape Myrtles. Do not commit "crape murder" by topping or severely stubbing back the branches each winter. This disfiguring practice weakens the tree, produces ugly knobs, and reduces bloom quality. Instead:

• Remove spent flower clusters in summer to encourage a second bloom flush.
• In late winter, remove only suckers from the base, crossing or rubbing branches, and any dead wood.
• Thin interior branches lightly to improve air circulation and light penetration.
• If your Crape Myrtle is too large for its space, you planted the wrong variety. Consider replacing it with a smaller cultivar rather than butchering it annually.

For detailed pruning guides and seasonal care calendars, visit our blog.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew can affect Crape Myrtles in humid conditions, appearing as a white powdery coating on leaves and flower buds. Choose resistant varieties (most modern hybrids are resistant), ensure full sun and good air circulation, and treat with fungicide only if infection is severe.

Container Sizes Available

Bill Bownds Nursery stocks Crape Myrtles in a range of container sizes:

• 15-gallon: 5 to 7 feet tall. Multi-trunk form established. Will bloom the first summer.
• 30-gallon: 7 to 10 feet tall. Our most popular size for residential landscapes. Strong trunk caliper and heavy bloom potential.
• 45-gallon: 10 to 12 feet tall. Instant color and form for feature plantings.
• 65-gallon: 12 to 15 feet tall. Mature character with exfoliating bark and established multi-trunk architecture.
• 95-gallon: 15 to 18 feet tall. Specimen-grade trees for properties that need immediate impact.

Multiple color varieties available in most sizes. Shop retail or inquire about contact us for volume pricing.

Delivery and Professional Installation

Bill Bownds Nursery delivers and installs Crape Myrtles throughout Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Fulshear, and surrounding communities. Whether you need a single specimen for your front yard or a hundred trees for a commercial development, we handle the logistics. Our crews will plant your Crape Myrtles at the correct depth, stake them if necessary, and provide aftercare instructions.

Crape Myrtles pair beautifully with evergreen backgrounds. Plant them in front of Eagleston Holly screens or alongside Magnolias for a landscape that delivers both structure and seasonal color. For large shade canopy, add Live Oaks to your planting plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crape Myrtle Trees

How fast do Crape Myrtles grow in Houston?

Crape Myrtles are fast growers in the Houston area, adding 3 to 5 feet of height per year when young. This makes them one of the quickest trees to reach their mature height of 15 to 30 feet, depending on the cultivar. Houston's hot summers are ideal for Crape Myrtles — they thrive in heat and respond with abundant blooms from June through September. Even in the first year after planting, a healthy Crape Myrtle will produce flowers. By year three, the tree will have a well-formed canopy and produce spectacular flower clusters that last for months. Growth rate slows somewhat as the tree matures and trunk diameter increases, but Crape Myrtles continue to add height for 10 to 15 years.

What size Crape Myrtle should I buy?

Crape Myrtles are available at Bill Bownds Nursery in sizes from 15-gallon to 65-gallon containers. A 15-gallon Crape Myrtle (5 to 7 feet) is a great starting point for homeowners on a budget — these trees grow fast and will be 12 to 15 feet tall within three years. Our 30-gallon trees (8 to 10 feet) are the most popular size for single-tree accent plantings, providing immediate color and structure. For commercial projects, streetscapes, or homeowners who want instant impact, our 45- and 65-gallon Crape Myrtles are mature, multi-trunk specimens with impressive flower displays. When choosing a cultivar, consider mature size — Natchez and Tuscarora reach 25 to 30 feet, while Dynamite and Sioux stay in the 15 to 20 foot range.

Do Crape Myrtles grow well in clay soil?

Crape Myrtles handle Houston-area clay soil very well, provided the planting site has reasonable drainage. They are more drought-tolerant than most flowering trees and actually perform better in our clay than in sandy soils, because clay retains the consistent moisture that supports heavy blooming. The main concern with clay is waterlogging during extended rainy periods — if your planting site holds standing water for more than 24 hours after rain, raise the planting grade by a few inches or choose a different location. Plant the root ball at or slightly above grade, and apply 3 inches of mulch. Once established, Crape Myrtles in clay soil require minimal supplemental watering except during severe drought.

How much do Crape Myrtle trees cost?

Crape Myrtle pricing depends on the container size and cultivar. Standard cultivars like Natchez (white), Tuscarora (coral), and Dynamite (red) are available in multiple sizes. Pricing starts at our standard 15-gallon rate, with multi-trunk specimens in larger containers priced according to size and form. Volume discounts apply to orders of 10 or more trees, which is common for streetscape and commercial projects. Call (281) 277-2033 for current availability and pricing on specific colors and sizes. We stock the widest selection of Crape Myrtle cultivars in the Katy area.

Do you deliver Crape Myrtles to Houston, Katy, and Richmond?

We deliver Crape Myrtles to Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and all surrounding communities. Crape Myrtles are relatively lightweight compared to oaks and magnolias, which makes delivery straightforward even for large orders. We offer both delivery-only and delivery-plus-installation services. For street tree projects and commercial plantings, our crew can plant multiple Crape Myrtles in a single day with consistent spacing and depth. Visit our retail services page for more information on delivery options and our one-year health guarantee.