Nothing says summer in the South like crepe myrtles. Found in many shapes, sizes, and varieties, their arching branches make them a mainstay for framing many a courtyard. The tree loves heat and humidity, tolerates drought, and grows quickly. Unlike the azalea, camellia, and gardenia, which pine for acid soil, crepe myrtle (Lythraceae) flourishes just about everywhere. No wonder it ranks as the South’s most popular (and coveted) ornamental tree.

Unfortunately, these beautiful trees are also victims of some serious crime. Every year in late winter and spring well-meaning but unaware homeowners chop them down to thick, ugly stumps (a crime known as “crepe murder”). Their motive? They likely bought a crepe myrtle only for its color without checking how big the plant will get. So when it inevitably blocks the upstairs windows just a few years after planting, out comes Angry Homeowner wielding the pruning saw.

Let’s put a stop to this terrible practice now by choosing crepe myrtles by color and size, and we’re here to help. Below you’ll find a guide to crepe myrtle heights with info on their summer bloom color and fall leaf color as well. (As gorgeous as their summer blooms are, just wait until you see a crepe myrtle in full fall mode. Orange, red, and yellow foliage replaces the brilliant blooms for an outstanding autumn show.)

How Tall do Crepe Myrtles Get?

Crepe myrtles—or crape myrtles and crapemyrtles if you prefer—range in size from dwarf selections that grow less than 3 feet tall to several large varieties that reach upwards of 30 feet. Knowing the mature height of a plant before you buy it and planting the proper size for the site will save you much heartache (and backache) in the future. Most crepe myrtles planted today are selections of Lythraceae indica—a species first introduced into the U.S. from China in the early 1800s by famed botanist Andre Michaux in Charleston, South Carolina—or hybrids between L. indica and Lythraceae faurei, an upright tree that reaches heights of 25-50 feet with arching branches.

Mature size is so important that we’ve grouped popular selections into dwarf (2-5 feet tall), semi-dwarf or short (6-10 feet tall) medium (11-20 feet tall), and tall (21-50 feet.) categories. Use dwarf kinds in containers, mixed borders, and masses. Use short types in containers, shrub borders, or near the house. Use medium types as small shade trees, street trees, or for screening. Give tall types lots of room and don’t plant near the house. One ‘Natchez’ is plenty for a 900-square feet lawn.

Dwarf Crepe Myrtles

Semi-Dwarf or Short Crepe Myrtles

Medium Crepe Myrtles

Tall Crepe Myrtles

When to Buy a Crepe Myrtle

Believe it or not, we’re big advocates for you choosing a crepe myrtle in late summer. You’ll be able to see the tree in full bloom so you’ll know exactly what kind of show it will put on. And if you buy it in a container, you can either plant it in the yard right away or leave it in the original pot and plant it in fall when the weather is cooler. Bonus: August is often the time of year when garden centers put plants on sale, so you’ll probably land a bargain.

Whether you plant it or leave it in the pot, regular watering will be the key to survival. When it’s 95 degrees out, all it takes is one day of the roots drying out and it’s sayonara to your crepe myrtle. Make sure the roots stay moist as long as it’s warm. Next year, your plant will need much less water.

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