A question for Dan Gill: My husband wants to plant crepe myrtle trees on the side of the house. I want them, but I do not want them to be huge. Are there smaller-growing crape myrtles? I was thinking about planting trees that would grow to be about 15 feet in height and 8 feet in width. Please suggest a type of crape myrtle and another option that might stay green all year, if possible. -- Janice
Answer: First, let me give you a gold star for asking this question. Choosing a crape myrtle is far more than just deciding on the desired flower color. It's also critical that you decide what size crape myrtle would be most appropriate in your situation, and then purchase a cultivar that matures at about that size.
There are some nice crape myrtles that mature at about 15 feet tall, give or take a few feet. The 8-foot width may be more difficult as crape myrtles tend to be wider than that at maturity. Make sure you locate the trees at least 8 to 10 feet away from the house.
A few cultivars that are in that size category include: Byers White, Catawba (purple), Choctaw (pink), Comanche (coral), Osage (pink), and Potomac (pink). Sioux, medium pink, is one of the best.
You will be limited by what your local nurseries are carrying. See if they are carrying any of the above.
Some small evergreen trees include loquat, sweet olive, Savannah holly and Little Gem magnolia.
Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter. Email questions to dgill@agcenter.lsu.edu or add them to the comment section below. Follow his stories at www.nola.com/homegarden, on Facebook and @nolahomegardenon Instagram.