Also known as "Lilac of the South" due to its popularity in zones 7 to 9, crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub or small tree that explodes with white, deep rose, or magenta blossoms from July to ...

Although native to eastern Asia, crape myrtles are indispensable in the Southern landscape. Its vibrantly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white from May to September virtually ...

I’ve always admired crepe myrtle trees for their multi-season beauty: stunning crimson/bronze leaves in fall; smooth, patterned bark in winter; and, of course, the late-summer splash of color they ...

Although native to eastern Asia, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are almost indispensable in the Southern landscape. Their vibrantly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white from May to ...

Crape myrtle bark scale is an invasive pest spreading across the Southeast US. Researchers have found a natural solution, ...

Walking on the St. John’s Lutheran Church campus a few weeks ago, I noticed a recently planted crape myrtle that didn’t appear to have its normal spring color or vigor. Upon closer inspection, I ...

Crepe myrtles are iconic Southern trees. These gorgeous plants don’t mind the heat and humidity, and their lovely, papery blooms last for weeks and weeks throughout the summer. “People love crepe ...

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 ...

My crape myrtle has white spots on the bark and a lot of black leaves. What is going on? OS What you are describing are classic symptoms of crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae).

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Adding to our list of non-native pests is a newcomer that attacks crepe myrtles. It is called the Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). The new pest is originally from China, Japan, ...

We see it all in the Plant Clinic, and this summer we’ve been seeing a lot of Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae or crapemyrtle bark scale. This invasive insect from southeast Asia first appeared in the ...