Buying and Planting Crape Myrtle on Long Island: Foundation Safety and Salt Tolerance

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) thrives on Long Island (zone 7) and is a great replacement for salt-damaged arborvitae.

Purchasing Tips

• Visit local nurseries (best selection, acclimated stock).
• Check Home Depot/Lowe's for common cultivars.
• Contact Suffolk County Master Gardeners for specific vendor recommendations.

Foundation Planting Safety

• Roots are non-invasive; 6' from foundation is safe.
• Choose tree-form for single-trunk specimen.
• Select purple cultivars: 'Muskogee', 'Catawba', 'Twilight'.

Salt Tolerance

Crape myrtle has moderate salt tolerance—better than arborvitae. Mulch heavily and irrigate deeply to flush salt.

Care

• Full sun, well-drained soil.
• Water weekly first year.
• Prune late winter (blooms on new wood).

A purple crape myrtle will thrive in your canal-side location with proper establishment.