I am in Zone 6b and have one that I grew from seed. Sometimes there is significant die off and I have to cut way back, but it doesn't die.

Thanks for that - wow, from seed. I have saved seeds from other crepes but have never had any luck growing them. "cautiously optimistic" Dislike spelling errors in my posts. Thanks for your input...

The seed was purchased from Park Seed some years ago. I can't remember if there was some suggestion that it might be hardier than other types of Crape Myrtle. I remember that way back at that time people were having success with cultivars with Indian names

Hmm. I'll have to check out Park Seed - thanks.

Beautiful!

Some varieties of Crepe Myrtle are reliably hardy in zone 6. I grow Dynamite in my northern CT zone 6a garden. Last winter it died back to the ground. Although it has grown back to about five feet, it doesn't look like I'm going to get any flowers this year. The biggest issue I have is getting them to bloom. My current garden is at 800 feet in elevation where temps in summer are often 4-8 degrees lower that the surrounding valley. They like heat.

Sue, that's disappointing. I've wanted to grow a Crepe Myrtle too, and we would have the heat and humidity to go with it, but it needs sun too, I thought, and I don't have a place to put one really. they are beautiful!

On the other hand, I think a lot of people struggling with the unrelenting heat this summer would give up growing a Crepe Myrtle for a 6-8degree drop in temperature! And you manage to grow a banana! lol

PM2, yes sun is essential for Crepe Myrtle. Think about where you see it growing down south...highway median strips and parking lots.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to overwinter a Musa basjoo in the ground here. I need to find the right spot. My protected area gets gutter leakage and stays too wet in the winter. I bought one again this season and planted it in the ground, but I'm going to take into the basement in for the winter and think about a potentially better spot come spring.

Sue, that's too bad about the banana. It was so big in your last garden. Sounds like a lot of work taking it in the house every winter. I don't know, I could picture a conservatory at your house. That would be just the ticket. lol

Love the tropical vibe! How do you overwinter the palms?

i stack barrels on top of each other. gets pretty hot on cold sunny days ! this greenhouse will work for a crepe myrtle also. notice bannas without protection on bottom left.