Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: What Are The Differences?

How well do you know your ornamental trees? Can you distinguish the dogwood tree and the crepe mrytle tree? The dogwood and crepe myrtle are both very popular options for city centers and small to medium yards, offering shade and beautiful blooms in equal measure. But for the casual gardener or plant hobbyist, it can be easy to mix these two very distinct species up!

We’re here with an informative article that compares and contrasts the dogwood tree vs. crepe myrtle tree. Read further to learn the two trees’ classifications, growing requirements, and uses. Of course, we’ll also include advice on telling the two apart, too. Let’s get started!

Comparing Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree

The Key Differences Between Dogwood Tree and Crepe Myrtle Tree

On the surface, the dogwood and crepe myrtle may appear to have more in common than in difference. But there are drastic taxonomical differences between the dogwood tree and crepe myrtle tree, as well as many subtler differences.

For starters, the crepe myrtle and dogwood belong to different families, with dogwoods classified under the family Cornaceae, and crepe myrtles in the loosestrife family, formally known as Lythraceae. It also has a later flowering period, which also lasts much longer, ranging from summer into autumn depending on location. But on the other hand, the dogwood is hardier than the crepe myrtle and able to tolerate less favorable conditions. Additionally, unlike the dogwood tree, the crepe myrtle tree has no medicinal, culinary, or trade uses, and is purely ornamental.

Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: Classification

Dogwoods belong to the genus Cornus, in the family Cornaceae. They share this genus, which is distinguished by their distinctive blossoms, berries, and bark, with Cornelian-cherries. There are roughly twenty other dogwoods in the subgenus Kraniopsis besides the common dogwood, including the Siberian, roughleaf, and ghost dogwoods. The origin of the dogwood tree’s common name comes from the practice of using the tree’s smooth, straight twigs to make butchers’ skewers. Because skewers used to be called ‘dags’ or ‘dogs’, the tree came to be called dagwood or dogwood, which means ‘skewer wood’.

Meanwhile, the crepe myrtle is a member of the genus Lagerstroemia, which is part of the family Lythraceae, which is also known as the loosestrife family, and Lagerstroemia includes three main species: Japanese Crepe Myrtle, L. fauriei; Indica Crepe Myrtle, L. indica; and Queen’s Crepe Myrtle, L. speciosa. Its common name, crepe myrtle, comes from the fact that its petals are crinkled and have frilly edges, giving them the appearance of being made of crepe paper.

Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: Description

Dogwoods are small trees with fresh green, oval leaves that have smooth sides and distinctive curving veins. As a deciduous plant, these leaves turn a fiery red before dropping off in autumn. Dogwood trees are hermaphroditic, which means each flower contains both the male and female reproductive parts. These flowers are small with four creamy white petals, and are produced in clusters. Some have pink tips on each petal. After they are pollinated by insects, the flowers turn into small black berries which are sometimes known as dogberries. In direct sunlight the tree’s twigs appear to be crimson, but closer to lime green when viewed in the shade.

By contrast, crepe myrtle trees are variable in size, ranging from dwarf shrubs to small trees, though all tend to grow upright and then spreading, making them an attractive option for providing shade. New leaves are usually tinted red, before settling into a dark green as they mature. In the autumn they tend to turn brilliant shades of orange or red. The tree is prized for its flowers, which are striking shades of pink, red, or purple and blossom in thick clusters of crinkled, 1 – 2in wide petals. It also develops an attractive trunk and branch pattern of smooth gray or light brown bark, which can be peeled away reveal smooth, pinkish inner bark.

Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: Uses

All the plants in the Cornus genus feature barks that are rich in tannins. For this reason they have a long history of use in traditional medicine as a substitute for quinine, an important drug that is primarily used for treating malaria and babesiosis. The bark can also be used to make a drink similar to tea, which may help with treating pain and fevers. The dogwood tree’s leaves can also be used as a poultice for covering wounds. These days, its utility is primarily horticultural; dogwood is a popular garden plant and many varieties have been produced. In comparison, the crepe myrtle’s only uses are horticultural.

Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: Origin and How to Grow

Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, the dogwood tree is able to grow in many soil types. It can often be seen growing wild along woodland edges and hedges, and is especially fond of river banks, shady areas, and ravines. As a popular ornamental plant, it is often seen in gardens and yards, where it is used to provide a pop of autumn and winter color.

While the damage is generally purely cosmetic, dogwood trees are sometimes susceptible to horse-chestnut scale insect. This limpet-esque insect feeds on tree saps from a wide range of trees and shrubs.

By comparison, crepe myrtle trees are native to the Himalayan region, southeast Asia, and Japan. Their care is typically relatively easy, provided you give it a suitable planting site, and have anticipated its sometimes expansive growth.

Crepe myrtle trees are drought and pollution tolerant once established, making them ideal choices for urban planting. These plants thrive in full sunlight, and prefer partly acidic, well-drained soil. In addition to pruning branches, help your crepe myrtles in cold weather by protecting the roots. Although they don’t generally behave like an invasive species, they can easily overcrowd a space as the seeds cultivate easily into new growth.

It’s possible to encourage a second, lighter flowering during the growing season, by clipping off spent flowers. Dwarf varieties also require periodic pruning through the growing season to remove spent blossoms and thin out the new twiggy growth. Crepe myrtles are fairly easy to propagate through the roots or by taking cuttings. The best time of year to do this is summer.

Many varieties of crepe myrtle have been bred to be at least somewhat cold-weather hardy, meaning they can typically survive the winter as long as you take care of your tree through the year. However, if you happen to live in an area that often experiences freezing temperatures, it’s worth investing in some burlap to wrap around its branches for extra protection against frost.

Dogwood Tree vs. Crepe Myrtle Tree: Special Features

Because the wood of the dogwood tree is one of the hardest available, historically it was used to make the crosses for the Roman practice of crucifixion. In Christian lore, it is supposedly the wood chosen to make the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Additionally, the prehistoric archer known as Ötzi the Iceman was discovered in 1991 on the border between Italy and Austria carrying arrow shafts made from dogwood.

The crepe myrtle’s genus is named after Magnus von Lagerström, a Swedish merchant and a director of the Swedish East India Company. He had a habit of collecting plants while he traveled, which he supplied to Carl Linnaeus, a botanist known as the “father of modern taxonomy”.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/JillLang