Yes, Crepe Myrtles are deciduous. They drop their leaves through late autumn after one of the best colour shows of any small feature tree, then leaf back up in spring and flower right through summer into autumn. That four-season cycle is exactly why so many Australian gardeners plant them.
Here is what to expect each season from a Crepe Myrtle, what it means for how you care for the tree, and the cultivars we recommend.
The four seasons of a Crepe Myrtle
Spring
New leaves push out from bare branches in mid spring, often with a bronze tint that hardens to a fresh mid-green. The tree wakes up quickly once soil temperatures climb. This is the moment to mulch and give a light feed.
Summer
From early to midsummer, large panicles of crepe-like flowers open at the tips of new wood. White, soft pink, magenta, lavender-purple, fuchsia, coral and deep red are all on the menu depending on cultivar. Flowering carries through until early autumn, with the longest displays in warm sunny positions.
Autumn
The foliage turns through bronze, orange, scarlet and burgundy before falling. Crepe Myrtles are one of the few small flowering trees that deliver flower colour and autumn foliage colour in the same season.
Winter
After leaf drop, the tree is bare and that is when the bark earns its keep. Smooth multi-toned cinnamon and grey bark, often peeling in strips, gives the tree real character through the cold months. The vase-shaped branching structure is sculptural in its own right.
Why being deciduous works in their favour
Going deciduous lets a Crepe Myrtle conserve energy through cooler months, recharge through winter, and put everything into flowering and new growth when the warm weather arrives. It also means the tree casts no shade in winter, which is useful for north-facing windows and patios that benefit from winter sun.
Care implications
Prune in late winter while bare; you can see the structure clearly and any cuts heal as growth resumes. Tip prune lightly only; never go hard into old wood and never "crepe murder" the tree by chopping it back to thick stubs.
Mulch through summer to keep roots cool. Water deeply through the first two summers; once established Crepe Myrtles are remarkably drought tolerant and cope well with 30 degrees C and above.
Feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring as new growth begins. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeds late in the season; they push soft growth that flowers poorly.
FAQ
When do Crepe Myrtles lose their leaves?
Late autumn through into early winter, depending on climate. In cooler southern gardens it happens earlier; in warm northern gardens it can stretch into June.
Do all Crepe Myrtles flower in summer?
Yes. All the cultivars we stock flower from early summer through into autumn. Warm sunny positions extend the season.
Can Crepe Myrtles handle Australian summers?
Very well. They are drought tolerant once established and cope with high heat. Mulch and the occasional deep soak through hot stretches.
Why has my Crepe Myrtle not flowered?
The two most common reasons are not enough sun and being pruned at the wrong time. Crepe Myrtles need full sun for the best flower set, and flower on new spring growth; heavy pruning in spring removes that flowering wood.
Final thoughts
Being deciduous is one of the best things about a Crepe Myrtle. Bare bark and structure in winter, white or coloured panicles all summer, and fiery autumn foliage in between. Few small feature trees offer this much through the year.
Good evening I’m after a couple of crepe myrtle with a v look uncertain of the name it has a vibrant pink flower. also do you deliver to Hastings? thanks