A 15-gallon crape myrtle typically costs $75-$180 for the plant alone, with an average price near $120. Professional planting commonly brings the total to $200-$450, depending on tree size, cultivar, local labor, delivery distance, and site preparation.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-gallon crape myrtle | $75 | $120 | $180 | Plant only; cultivar and nursery affect price |
| Delivery | $0 | $35 | $100 | May be free with a larger order |
| Professional planting | $75 | $150 | $300 | Labor and basic planting materials |
| Typical installed total | $175 | $305 | $580 | Higher totals include difficult access or extras |
What a 15-gallon crape myrtle costs at a nursery
A 15-gallon crape myrtle generally sells for $75-$180 before delivery or planting. The average retail price is about $120 for a healthy, established tree in a standard cultivar. Prices may be lower at local garden centers during seasonal promotions and higher at specialty nurseries carrying named varieties or unusually large specimens.
The “15-gallon” label refers to the container size, not the tree’s exact height or age. Plants commonly stand roughly 5-8 feet tall, although growth, pruning, cultivar, and nursery practices create variation. A container size alone does not guarantee a particular canopy, trunk form, or flowering stage.
For a standard 15-gallon tree, budgeting $100-$150 for the plant alone is a practical starting point. The final checkout price can also include sales tax, delivery, or a handling charge. Local tax rates vary, so those amounts are not included in the ranges here.
Assumptions: U.S. retail nursery pricing for a healthy, standard cultivar in a 15-gallon container; no planting, tax, or unusual delivery included.
How nursery, delivery, and planting charges shape the quote
An installed quote separates the tree from the work needed to place it. Ask whether the price covers delivery, digging, soil amendments, mulch, watering, cleanup, and removal of the nursery container. A low labor quote may cover only setting the tree in a prepared hole.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What it may include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree | $75-$180 | Per 15-gallon plant | Cultivar, size, and nursery stock |
| Delivery | $0-$100 | Per order or trip | Distance, minimum order, truck access |
| Planting labor | $75-$200 | Per tree or crew visit | Hole digging, placement, backfill |
| Soil and mulch | $15-$60 | Per tree | Compost or mulch, if specified |
| Equipment or disposal | $0-$100 | Per job | Limited access or debris haul-away |
Basic planting often costs $75-$200 per tree when the planting area is accessible and soil is workable. Contractors may set a minimum charge for a small job, so one tree can cost more per unit than several trees planted during the same visit.
Compare what each quote includes, not just the stated installed total. A quote with delivery, mulch, cleanup, and establishment watering may be a better comparison than a lower figure that excludes those tasks.
How cultivar, height, and trunk form change the price
Cultivar choice is one of the main price differences among 15-gallon crape myrtles. Common varieties may fall near $75-$130, while selected disease-resistant cultivars, less widely stocked colors, or specialty forms can cost $130-$180 or more. Prices reflect supply and nursery availability as well as plant characteristics.
Height and branching also affect value. A fuller, well-shaped tree may cost more than a smaller or recently pruned specimen in the same container class. Multi-trunk plants are common, while single-trunk forms may require more nursery training and can carry a premium. Inspect the trunk structure and canopy rather than relying only on the pot label.
Color is not a dependable price shortcut. White, pink, red, and purple flowering selections can have similar prices when readily available, but a specific named variety may cost more if local supply is limited. Ask for the cultivar name on the tag and check that it suits the intended mature height and available space.
Compare mature size as well as current height to avoid paying for a tree that outgrows its planting space. Compact selections may mature around 3-6 feet, while larger types can grow 15-25 feet or more, depending on variety and growing conditions. The nursery label is the best guide to the specific plant.
Why regional nursery prices differ across the United States
Local supply, freight, climate, and labor rates make crape myrtle pricing regional. In the Southeast, where the trees are widely grown and sold, a standard 15-gallon plant may be closer to $75-$140. In colder northern markets or areas with fewer specialty nurseries, the same size may run about $100-$180, especially for a named cultivar.
Those are broad buying ranges, not fixed regional averages. A major metropolitan area may charge more than a nearby rural nursery because of land, labor, and delivery costs. Conversely, a large retailer or seasonal promotion can undercut smaller independent nurseries. Compare several local sellers using the same container size and cultivar where possible.
Installation can vary more than the plant price. Urban access, parking, stairs, narrow gates, and long carries can add labor or delivery charges. A planting near an open driveway is usually simpler than moving a tree through a backyard with restricted equipment access.
For budgeting, allow roughly 10%-25% more for delivery and planting in higher-cost urban markets than in lower-cost rural areas. A local written estimate gives a more reliable comparison than applying a national percentage to every project.
How long planting takes and what labor usually covers
A straightforward planting of one 15-gallon tree may take a two-person crew about 1-2 hours, including unloading, digging, setting the root ball, backfilling, watering, and cleanup. Labor commonly falls around $75-$200 per tree, though a contractor’s minimum visit charge can make a one-tree project more expensive than the hourly calculation suggests.
Soil condition can change the work time. Loose, workable soil is faster to dig than compacted clay, heavy roots, or ground containing rocks. A hole that needs hand digging because machinery cannot reach the yard may also increase labor. The planting hole should generally be wider than the root ball, while its depth should avoid setting the root flare too low.
Ask whether the installer includes removing the container, checking for circling roots, and watering the root ball after planting. These tasks are small but affect the quality of the installation. Confirm whether the crew will haul away excess soil or leave it on site.
Request a labor description that identifies the expected crew size, tasks, and cleanup. If the estimate gives only a lump sum, ask whether the price changes if digging reveals roots, buried debris, or unusually hard soil.
Three realistic quotes for a single 15-gallon tree
These examples show how the same tree size can lead to different totals. They assume ordinary nursery stock and exclude sales tax. Actual local estimates depend on cultivar, access, scheduling, and what the contractor includes.
| Scenario | Plant | Labor and extras | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup and do-it-yourself planting | $90-$125 | $0-$25 for mulch or soil | $90-$150 |
| Local delivery and standard planting | $100-$145 | $125-$220 labor, $25-$50 materials | $250-$415 |
| Specialty cultivar, restricted access | $140-$180 | $60-$100 delivery, $200-$350 labor and handling | $400-$630 |
In the standard installed example, a crew may spend 1-2 hours on site and charge an effective labor rate of about $75-$125 per hour, adjusted for crew size and minimum fees. The restricted-access example includes extra handling and is not a typical price for an open planting area.
A reasonable quote for a standard, accessible installation often lands around $250-$400. For a second estimate, provide the same cultivar or equivalent, delivery address, planting location, and requested cleanup so the bids cover comparable work.
Which add-on charges can push the installed price higher
Delivery is often $25-$75 for a nearby single-tree order, but a remote trip or small-order minimum can push it toward $100. Some nurseries waive delivery above a purchase threshold or when several plants are ordered. Confirm whether the driver places the tree near the planting spot or only at the driveway.
Soil amendments and mulch may add $15-$60 per tree. Extensive soil replacement, drainage work, or removal of an existing shrub is separate scope and can add $50-$250 or more, depending on debris and labor. Stump grinding, buried construction waste, or large roots require their own estimate.
Some installers charge a $75-$150 minimum service fee even when the actual planting takes less than an hour. Rush scheduling, weekend work, or a narrow delivery window may add charges, but these are not universal. Request an itemized quote before assuming any fee applies.
Clarify whether removal, haul-away, and access surcharges are included before approving the job. A written scope helps distinguish a genuine site complication from an optional service that can be declined.
How to lower the crape myrtle price without cutting corners
Buying directly from a local nursery and picking up the tree can avoid a separate delivery charge, if the vehicle can safely transport a 5-8-foot plant. Check the nursery’s loading policy and protect branches during transport. A discount for multiple trees may also reduce the per-tree delivery or planting rate.
Choose a readily stocked cultivar rather than insisting on a hard-to-find variety. Ask whether a healthy 15-gallon plant in a different flower color or branching form meets the site requirements. Compare the tree’s mature height, disease resistance, and shape before making a substitution.
Prepare the planting area by clearing movable pots, edging, and small debris, but do not dig near underground utilities without checking their locations. Request utility marking before digging. Avoid paying for unnecessary soil amendments if the existing soil drains well and the installer confirms that basic backfill is appropriate.
Planting the tree yourself can save roughly $75-$200 in labor, but the tree still needs careful handling and correct placement. A 15-gallon root ball is heavy, and poor planting depth or rough lifting can damage the tree. For a difficult site or a heavy specimen, labor savings may not justify the risk.
The most dependable savings usually come from controlling delivery, access, and optional extras. Keep the tree size and planting scope consistent when comparing bids, and avoid choosing solely by the lowest plant-only price.