PlantLegit

Native alternatives to crepe myrtle

If you want a small flowering tree for summer color but would rather plant native, try White fringetree, Eastern redbud, Downy serviceberry. Crepe myrtle is not on any official invasive list we track, so it is legal to plant; these natives are an option, not a requirement.Picks fill a similar garden role; sizes, sun and zones from NC State Extension; native states from USDA PLANTS.

Native plants that fill the same role

Native plantTypeHeightSunZonesNative in plan states (USDA)Source
White fringetree
Chionanthus virginicus		tree12 ft - 30 ftfull sun–part shadezones 3–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis		tree20 ft - 30 ftfull sun–part shadezones 4–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Downy serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea		tree15 ft - 25 ftfull sun–part shadezones 4–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum		tree20 ft - 30 ftsun to shadezones 5–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NCNC State Ext.
Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida		tree15 ft - 25 ftfull sun–part shadezones 5–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.

Is crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) illegal or invasive?

It is not on any official invasive or noxious-weed list we track (all 50 states + DC). It's legal to plant. The natives below are an option, not a requirement.

More swaps: all native swaps · fast-growing native privacy trees · check any plant for your ZIP

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: White fringetree
  2. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Eastern redbud
  3. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Downy serviceberry
  4. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Sourwood
  5. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Flowering dogwood
  6. USDA NRCS PLANTS Database (native status by state)
  7. PlantLegit works cited: official state invasive lists behind the legal status

Checked October 19, 2026. Not legal or professional advice; the official text controls.