Crepe Myrtle vs Hollyhock

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Malvaceae · flowers

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Hollyhock (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Alcea rosea
Family	Lythraceae	Malvaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	8'
Spread	15'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	China, Turkey
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Crepe Myrtle

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Hollyhock

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Choose Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Crepe MyrtleProfile →View HollyhockProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Hollyhock grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun and medium water, while Hollyhock needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Crepe Myrtle or Hollyhock?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Hollyhock at 8'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Hollyhock spreads 1' 6".

Are Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Hollyhock?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Alcea rosea
Family	Lythraceae	Malvaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	8'
Spread	15'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	China, Turkey
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Choose Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Hollyhock grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun and medium water, while Hollyhock needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Crepe Myrtle or Hollyhock?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Hollyhock at 8'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Hollyhock spreads 1' 6".

Are Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Hollyhock?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Hollyhock have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.