Crape myrtles are hardy, low-maintenance plants that come in a variety of sizes and colors. To encourage summer blooms, prune crape myrtles in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

For more than 50 years, Southern Living has told you how beautiful the iconic crepe myrtle is in every season and how easy it is to grow. No surprise, it is the most widely planted tree in the South.

So far, 2025 has been the best year I’ve seen for crape myrtles in the past 15 or 20. Many of us feel they’re the best flowering shrubs and small trees for the South, and this year is certainly ...