Crape myrtles are chiefly known for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. The big draw for this plant is that it blooms at a time when most trees are not blooming. If the plant is healthy, it will be covered with blooms that will last for months during the hottest part of the summer. Blooms vary from deep purple to red to white; but no variety produces blue, orange, or yellow flowers. Most crape myrtles have thin fluted stems and branches with a mottled appearance that arises from having bark that sheds throughout the year. Each year, crape myrtles are often cut back to allow for new growth.