Growing Crape Myrtle in Zones 5 and 6

Growing Crape Myrtle may be difficult in zones 5-6a, as during normal or hard winters can completely kill a Crape Myrtle if not sited properly. In an area where winter temps are capable of getting colder than -5°F at any time it is best to plant in an area protected from winter winds such as an East facing area. You must also make sure the area gets enough sun during the growing season (minimum of 6 hours of sun per day). This can be tricky if you don't have the correct area. Some new subdivisions don't have a protected areas as they are facing the wrong way or are in a wind tunnel. If you can't grow it outside or just don't want to risk it, you can grow yours in a pot. You must remember a plant is less hardy in a pot than in the ground as the roots are exposed to the cold wind. I bring my potted Crape Myrtle into a shelter/garage when the temp is predicted to dip below 10°F. Mine survived the winter and is flourishing, since it didn't foliate till mid-May I won't see blooms till the end of the summer like August or September since I am a chilly zone 5b. I am growing one of the most cold hardy varieties root hardy to -20°F to -10°F (planted in the ground). The variety I am growing is 'Hopi'. Picture in bloom is from last summer and other picture is today.

Crape Myrtle

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia

Crape Myrtles are native to Sub-Tropical/warm temperate parts of Asia where summers
 are hot and winters are mild.
 They are fully hardy in USDA Zones 7-10,
 and are root hardy to USDA Zone 6, 
with some varieties hardy to USDA Zone 5. 
They are small trees typically growing no taller than 30'.
 Many dwarf cultivars exist.
 Some shrubs maturing to 2'-4' tall and wide,
 with many cultivars maturing to sizes between that and 30' tall.
 Noteable cultivars hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F to -10°F)
 are Hopi, Acoma, Bellini Series, Tonto. 
All Crape Myrtles die back to the ground with 
temps below -5°F and in many cases below 0°F. 
In zones 7 and warmer for all Crape Myrtles the stems survive year after year. 
In zones 5 and 6 the tree forms usually die to the ground every year 
and obtain only a few feet tall and wide at maturity.
 They are very vigorous growers during the growing season though,
 and can grow anywhere from
 4'-8' in a single season especially when killed to the base.

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LINK: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282496

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Pictured is a Crape Myrtle that died back to the base from winter damage
 by temps dipping below 0°F.

(Not my picture found on the web)