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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsName these two trees (and/or suggest others).
Trying to choose which trees to plant in my yard this year. I have a small area close to the house for a small tree, and I want a larger one for the rest of the yard.
Suggestions for either welcome (I'm in SC a few miles west of Charleston - Zone 8 I think.).
In the meantime, these types of trees keep catching my eye for the smaller one (even though one is too big, there might be a smaller version - ?). Are they both the same kind of tree, one just more mature?
What are these trees:
the smaller one: if it would stay this size, it would be perfect
the bigger one: same as smaller one, but more mature?
Arkansas Granny
(31,505 posts)Do they bloom?
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)But I just searched google images for crepe myrtle and they do look similar.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)and show them the photos. If it is a crepe myrtle, you're in the right place to plant one! Some of them have very interesting bark as well:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/CrapemyrtleGallery/CrapeTable.html
http://www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/CrapemyrtleGallery/ApalacheeGallery.html
Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)I like the multi-stemmed/branched lower part of the tree, but I don't really want anything with huge flowers.
I'll check a nursery and let them give me some guidance.
SteveG
(3,109 posts)I have one very much like it in my yard. The one with larger leaves may also be variety of crepe that we don't have around here. I am in zone 7b. There are a lot of varieties.
Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)I had someone tell me a mimosa tree, but it doesn't look like what you find when you google it.
Maybe it is a different variety of Crepe like you suggest.
You know, it is hard to find a tree with some character for a small space.
Major Nikon
(36,818 posts)They may be different cultivars. There are 50 different species with literally hundreds, if not thousands of cultivars to crape myrtles. Some are dwarfs that get no more than 4' tall to some that grow 30' tall or higher. They bloom in different colors that are generally some shade of red, purple, or white.
The two species the most prevalent in the US are Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei. The former is the most popular, originated from China, and is generally adapted to optimize for a particular height or bloom. This is most likely what you will find in greatest abundance at the nursery. They are often rated by the number of days they are in bloom during a given year. The latter is known by it's common name, Japanese crape myrtle and as the name suggests, originated from Japan. Although they don't bloom as much or as brilliantly, they are more disease resistant and I think their trunks and leaves are more attractive. They also take a very stately tree form if pruned that way, but there are other cultivars of L. indica which do also, most notably Natchez, which is actually a hybrid between the two species and is my favorite. I have one in my front yard that is 15' tall that I planted about 5-6 years ago.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)Digit
(6,163 posts)There are many varieties of crepe myrtle as I discovered when checking out what to plant in my backyard. I am sure you can find one that will grow to the height you want with blooms to knock your socks off. I was also surprised at how the foliage could vary.
One site I found was crepemyrtlecorner.com. For some reason I could not get a link to work, but I am sure you can find a ton of websites online.
Happy planting!
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)The leaves seem a bit ash-y:
I don't know about the trunk, though.
struggle4progress
(118,214 posts)and I think sometimes when folk think they've gotten too big they may cut some back to the ground and let it start over
Rowdyboy
(22,057 posts)It can stop traffic when they're in bloom.
The bark is a beautiful cinnamon color and peals off in strips over the year. They are gorgeous, healthy trees.
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Major Nikon
(36,818 posts)They are my favorite variety.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)Charleston Horticultural Society
http://chashortsoc.org/groups/charleston-trees.html
There are some really gorgeous Japanese Maples suitable to Zone 8:
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/japanese-maples/#page=7
The pics you posted do look like crepe myrtles, and they get very flowery:
lastlib
(23,140 posts)("I STILL hate that name!"
(Apologies to Johnny......)