Exploring the Best Crepe Myrtle Companion Plants

The Beauty of Crepe Myrtles: An

If you're looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow flowering tree, crepe myrtles are an excellent choice. These trees are native to Asia and can grow up to 30 feet tall, with gorgeous blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. Crepe myrtles are also known for their attractive bark, which peels away in thin layers to reveal smooth, new wood underneath.

One of the best things about crepe myrtles is that they pair well with a wide variety of other plants. Whether you're looking for groundcovers, perennials, shrubs, or other trees, there are plenty of options that will complement your crepe myrtle and help it look its best.

15 Great Companion Plants for Crepe Myrtles

Here are some of the best plants to consider pairing with your crepe myrtle:

1. Daylilies

Daylilies are a popular choice for gardens due to their low maintenance and bright colors. They bloom in midsummer and come in a range of hues, including yellow, orange, red, and pink. Plant them in front of your crepe myrtle for a stunning display.

2. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a classic companion plant for crepe myrtles. Their large, showy blooms create a beautiful contrast with the delicate flowers of the crepe myrtle. Plant them in the shade of your crepe myrtle to keep them cool and moist.

3. Azaleas

Azaleas are another popular choice for pairing with crepe myrtles. They bloom in late spring and early summer, often with vibrant pink or red flowers. Choose a variety that matches the color of your crepe myrtle blooms for a coordinated look.

4. Salvia

Salvia is a great choice if you're looking for a low-maintenance plant that will attract pollinators to your garden. These plants produce spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers in midsummer and require little water or fertilizer.

5. Knockout Roses

Knockout roses are an excellent choice for adding some color to your crepe myrtle garden. These roses come in a range of colors, including red, pink, and yellow, and bloom throughout the summer.

6. Hostas

Hostas are a versatile plant that can be grown in shady areas around your crepe myrtle. They come in a range of sizes and colors, from small, variegated plants to larger, solid green varieties.

7. Bee Balm

Bee balm is a tall, hardy plant that produces clusters of bright red or pink flowers in midsummer. It's a great choice for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.

8. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are a great way to add texture and interest to your crepe myrtle garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from feathery plumes to spiky blades.

9. Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a popular choice for adding some color to your crepe myrtle garden. These plants produce bright yellow or orange flowers with dark centers and bloom throughout the summer.

10. Lantana

Lantana is a hardy plant that produces clusters of small, brightly colored flowers throughout the summer. It's an excellent choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

11. Clematis

Clematis is a climbing vine that produces large, showy flowers in a range of colors, including purple, pink, and red. Plant it at the base of your crepe myrtle and let it climb up the trunk for a stunning display.

12. Coneflowers

Coneflowers are a popular choice for gardens due to their low maintenance and bright colors. They bloom in midsummer and come in a range of hues, including yellow, orange, red, and pink. Plant them in front of your crepe myrtle for a stunning display.

13. Phlox

Phlox is a tall, hardy plant that produces clusters of brightly colored flowers in midsummer. It's a great choice for filling in space around your crepe myrtle and adding some color to your garden.

14. Peonies

Peonies are a classic companion plant for crepe myrtles. Their large, showy blooms create a beautiful contrast with the delicate flowers of the crepe myrtle. Plant them in the shade of your crepe myrtle to keep them cool and moist.

15. Boxwood

Boxwood is a versatile shrub that can be trimmed into a variety of shapes, from balls to hedges. It's an excellent choice for creating a border around your crepe myrtle garden or filling in empty spaces.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants for Your Crepe Myrtle

When choosing companion plants for your crepe myrtle, it's important to consider a few key factors. First, think about the color scheme you want to create. Do you want a coordinated look, with plants that match the color of your crepe myrtle blooms? Or do you want to create a bold contrast, with plants in complementary hues?

You should also consider the growing conditions in your garden. Some plants prefer full sun, while others thrive in shade or partial shade. Make sure you choose plants that will be happy in the same growing conditions as your crepe myrtle.

Creating a Cohesive Look with Color Schemes

One way to create a cohesive look in your garden is to choose plants that match the color of your crepe myrtle blooms. For example, if you have a pink crepe myrtle, you could pair it with pink daylilies, pink azaleas, and pink knock-out roses for a coordinated look.

On the other hand, if you're looking to create a bold contrast, you could pair a white crepe myrtle with blue salvia, purple clematis, and yellow lantana for a stunning display.

Pairing Height and Texture for Interest

Another way to create interest in your crepe myrtle garden is to vary the height and texture of your companion plants. For example, you could plant tall ornamental grasses behind your crepe myrtle to create a backdrop, with shorter plants like bee balm and black-eyed Susans in front.

You could also mix and match different textures, such as the feathery plumes of ornamental grasses with the spiky blades of daylilies and hostas.

The Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves pairing plants together for mutual benefit. By choosing the right companion plants for your crepe myrtle, you can create a healthy and thriving garden.

One of the main benefits of companion planting is pest control. Some plants have natural pest-repellent properties that can help protect your crepe myrtle from harmful insects. For example, planting marigolds around your crepe myrtle can help repel aphids and other pests.

Companion planting can also help improve soil health by adding nutrients and improving drainage. Some plants, such as clover and vetch, are nitrogen-fixing and can help add nitrogen to the soil. Others, like lavender and thyme, release compounds that can help prevent soil-borne diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the best companion plants for white crepe myrtles?

Some great companion plants for white crepe myrtles include blue salvia, purple clematis, and yellow lantana. You could also pair them with pink or red roses for a stunning contrast.

2. Can I plant hostas in full sun?

While hostas prefer shade, some varieties can tolerate full sun as long as they receive plenty of water. Check with your local nursery or garden center to find out which varieties will do well in your area.

3. How do I care for my crepe myrtle companion plants?

The care requirements for your companion plants will depend on the specific species you choose. Be sure to research each plant's growing conditions and care requirements before planting. In general, most companion plants will require regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning as needed.

4. Do I need to plant all of these companion plants at once?

No, you don't need to plant all of these companion plants at once. Consider ing with a few key plants and adding more over time as your garden grows.

5. Can I plant vegetables around my crepe myrtle?

While it's possible to plant vegetables around your crepe myrtle, it's not necessarily recommended. Vegetables require different growing conditions than most companion plants and may not thrive in the same environment as your crepe myrtle.