This fast-growing (up to 5 feet per year) woody plant flowers all summer long, making crape myrtle a popular garden ... or Natchez. In zone 6, try Red Rocket for its cold-hardiness properties.

It’s such a widespread problem that there’s a name for pruning these trees incorrectly ... branches will turn the crape myrtle into a sprawling, misshapen mess. 6. Don't remove seed pods.