Crape Myrtle have often been thought of as a staple in southern gardens, however, with the introduction of many new and more cold hardy crape myrtle varieties, these flowering beauties are moving their way north to new markets. While all crape myrtles are cold hardy to USDA Zone 7a, meaning they will tolerate low winter temperatures to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, there are now many varieties that are cold hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6a, which has low temperatures to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

In USDA Zone 5 or further north, where low winter temperatures drop well below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, you can grow crape myrtles in containers that can be overwintered in an interior space where temperatures don't drop much below 20 degrees F. If you're a Zone 5 risk-taker, you may have luck growing Zone 6 crape myrtles outdoors, but plant parts above ground might be damaged or killed. That said, new shoots often sprout from the base of the plant in spring. If you're in Zone 5 and just have to try a crape myrtle make sure to plant in a site that provides full sun exposure and insulate the roots in late fall with a 4 inch protective layer of mulch that is removed when temperatures warm in early spring. 


Below is a list of the Crape Myrtles varieties known to be cold hardy in USDA Zone 6...