Crape Myrtle with its incredible blooms is often considered a cheaper alternative to Hydrangea. Here are five of my favourite dwarf crape myrtle varieties based on compact size, vibrant flowers, and overall aesthetic appeal. Each one brings something unique in terms of colour, size, and hardiness, making them well-suited for smaller gardens or as ornamental shrubs:
Velma’s Royal Delight: Dwarf Crape Myrtle
I love Velma’s Royal Delight for its striking dark purple flowers and compact growth habit. The bold colour contrast makes it a standout, especially in smaller gardens.
- Size: Typically grows to about 3-4 feet tall and wide.
- Flowers: Deep purple to lavender-coloured flowers, creating a rich, dramatic contrast.
- Foliage: Glossy green leaves in the summer, turning vibrant red or orange in the fall.
- Shape: Compact, rounded shape with a bushy, dense habit, making it perfect for smaller gardens or as a standalone shrub.
Pocomoke: Dwarf Crape Myrtle
Pocomoke is another favourite of mine with its soft pink blooms and more compact, rounded shape. It’s perfect for limited spaces but still adds a lot of colour to the garden.
- Size: Reaches about 3-4 feet tall and wide.
- Flowers: Soft pink flowers that bloom in clusters, adding a delicate touch.
- Foliage: Dark green leaves with a slightly glossy finish, giving it a rich appearance.
- Shape: Compact, bushy growth with a rounded habit, making it ideal for creating a low hedge or accent shrub.
Baton Rouge: Dwarf Crape Myrtle
I’m drawn to Baton Rouge because of its vibrant red colour and dense, bushy growth habit. It’s perfect for smaller spaces and makes a bold statement with its striking flowers.
- Size: Grows to around 4-5 feet in height and width.
- Flowers: Vibrant, deep red flowers that stand out against the green foliage.
- Foliage: Medium to dark green leaves with a slightly glossy texture.
- Shape: Dense, rounded form, and slightly more upright than other dwarf varieties, giving it a fuller, bushier effect.
Delta Blush: Dwarf Crape Myrtle
I appreciate Delta Blush for its softer, delicate pink appearance. Its compact form and resistance to disease make it an excellent choice for various garden conditions.
- Size: Typically grows around 3-4 feet tall and wide.
- Flowers: Soft pink to blush-colored flowers, offering a gentle, calming tone.
- Foliage: Glossy green leaves that transition to vibrant red-orange shades in the fall.
- Shape: Compact, rounded shape with a slightly open, airy habit, giving it a graceful, somewhat loose structure.
Rosy Carpet: Dwarf Crape Myrtle
Rosy Carpet is unique for its dense, ground-hugging form and beautiful pink flowers. I find it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes or as ground cover.
- Size: Grows to around 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it one of the smallest on this list.
- Flowers: Soft pink to rose-coloured flowers that form in dense clusters, creating a carpet-like effect.
- Foliage: Glossy green leaves that are smaller and denser, contributing to its compact, spreading habit.
- Shape: Ground-hugging, mounding growth that stays low to the ground, making it ideal for colourful ground cover or a low hedge.
In Summary:
Velma’s Royal Delight and Baton Rouge are more upright and bushier with vibrant, striking flowers, making them eye-catching in borders or as standalone shrubs.
Pocomoke and Delta Blush offer softer tones with compact, rounded forms.
Rosy Carpet stands out for its low-growing, carpet-like appearance and abundant pink blooms, making it ideal for ground cover or low-maintenance landscaping.
Overall, these dwarf varieties are prized for their compact size, vibrant flower colours, and beautiful seasonal foliage changes.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.