Crape myrtle shrubs and trees are generally easy-care landscaping plants. The plant’s rapid growth means these garden shrubs are ideal for developing a colorful garden landscape. Put the plant in the hole deep as the nursery container, but twice as wide. This helps provide stability for the new shrub. It’s important to remember that too much compost will result in lush foliage but fewer flowers. Some crape myrtles can be wider than they are tall. We give you all the answers. Crape myrtle is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees in the genus Lagerstroemia. It’s highly important to purchase an adequate variety to avoid stressing and murdering a plant. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Planting before springtime gives the shrubby plant time to adjust and develop a robust root system. Small crape myrtle trees grow best as specimen trees or lawn trees to add vibrant colors to summer gardens. They emerge amidst the superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the southern heat. If you want to grow a crape myrtle tree, prune the lower side branches to encourage upward growth. ‘Catawba’ crape myrtles grow between 10 and 15 ft. (3 – 4.5 m). The length of blooming depends on the amount of sun the crape myrtles receive. Soak the rooting system with thorough watering which may take half an hour or even more. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Crepe Myrtle likes humid conditions. Chickasaw Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Chickasaw’) — This small bushy plant produces a plethora of lavender or pink flowers. Pruning Pruning group 9. L. indica – Also known as the common crape myrtle, this species is the most popular among crape myrtles. Some self-appointed horticultural tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtles, calling it... Not All Rosy. However, it’s vital to ensure that the plant’s roots never become waterlogged or sit in soggy ground. We hope this information will help our community better understand and care for their crape myrtles. These tiny yellowish-green sap-sucking insects feed on plant cells and leave behind a sweet, sticky honeydew. Since crape myrtles carry their blooms on new growth, you should remove old stems in the late winter or the early spring while the plant is still dormant. That’s where we come in. To begin, crepe myrtle needs consistent watering. Considering crape myrtle’s growth rate can help to decide on the ideal cultivar for your backyard. You could also try introducing beneficial predatory insects to control pest infestations. In fall, crape myrtles transform into warm shades of orange, yellow, and red. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There are around 50 species of crape myrtle, and they are famous for their brightly-colored clusters of flowers. Crape myrtle shrubs are great as flowering hedges. Crepe myrtle needs to be watered regularly for the first two months. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Evergreen crape myrtles will also provide year-long privacy for your backyard. How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy. Create your own living, outdoor sanctuary with this lovely, colorful tree. Crape myrtles can benefit from balanced fertilizers for trees. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5). RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. This sticky substance encourages black sooty mold on leaves. If you find Japanese Beetles eating up the leaves on your crepe myrtle, the best way to handle it is to hand pick them off. Too much pruning from the top sends suckers shooting from the bottom of the tree or the roots, resulting in additional pruning and unnecessary crepe myrtle care. Not only your crepe myrtle will thrive well in these conditions, but will also have more blooms. Clear a patch roughly 3 feet (0.91 m) long by 3 feet (0.91 m) wide, taking care to remove any nearby vegetation that may compete for nutrients. However, getting enough sunshine is more important than fertilizing crape myrtles. Regular watering will be key to the survival of your crepe myrtle once planted. The 1st year after the plantation is quite crucial and needs proper care. ‘Acoma’ crape myrtles grow around 10 ft. (3 m) tall. The colors that crape myrtles produce includes more than just the flowers. Look for the mature size of the bush or tree to decide the cultivar you want. The large bushy shrubs produce flowers in vibrant shades of pink, lilac, red, and purple. Natchez Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’) — This crape myrtle hybrid is a small tree with clusters of white crinkled flowers. Ease the root ball of the crape myrtle plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole, making sure it grows at the same depth as in the pot. Crape Myrtle Trees: Growing, Care and Design Tips Add a punch of late-summer and fall color with crape myrtle trees By Linda Hagen Crape myrtle (or crepe myrtle) trees provide year-round interest and color with their showy summer blooms, colorful fall foliage and attractive winter bark. It can also result in an unattractive winter form. Small crape myrtles can be grown as shrub borders or as ornamental foundation plants. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop. Lagerstroemia (Crepe Myrtle) is a deciduous large shrub or small to medium sized tree that is smothered in showy ruffled flowers in shades of white, pink, mauve, lavender and red during summer. Sioux Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Sioux’) — ‘Sioux’ crape myrtles produce clusters of ruffled bright pink flowers all summer long. Crape myrtle trees and shrubs generally don’t require much watering. This variety grows between 12 and 15 ft. (3.5 – 4.5 m) in height. The good news is that powdery mildew isn’t harmless to the shrubs. However, some species also have white flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors. You can also plant crape myrtles in summer. For tips on growing these trees and their care, read this article. An estimate for ideal growth is about an inch of water required by the plant every week. Crape myrtles are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are extremely heat-tolerant. The fact that crape myrtles thrive in poor soils means they are excellent landscaping shrubs and trees for gardens where other plants can’t grow. Do you want a small tree or a taller one? Apr 27, 2019 - Wonder how to select, plant, and care for these fabulous trees? Crepe Myrtle Care First things first: you can spell this plant's name as crepe myrtle, crapemyrtle, or any variation thereof. Petite Orchid Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Monhid’) — This small crape myrtle shrub cultivar blooms with dark pink-purple, crepe-paper flowers. Beginner's Guide to Crepe Myrtle Care. Planting Ideas. Details L. indica is an upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling brown and grey bark and, 8cm long, dark green leaves which are bronze when young. Crepe myrtle trees are popular with home gardeners for their clusters of beautiful flowers and unique peeling bark. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Thoroughly water the crape myrtle to ensure the roots are well-hydrated. The beautiful trees add plenty of long-lasting colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees. Some crape myrtle cultivars are prone to this fungal disease that is caused by warm, wet weather. This crape myrtle will rebloom in late summer if the first flush of flowers are deadheaded. So, if you want to enjoy the blooming shrubs’ full beauty, grow them in a spot with enough room for their foliage. There is an Australian native crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia archeriana), which grows to around 7m (20′) tall and has pinkish mauve flowers. RHS Plants Shop. They can grow up to 3 feet per year. Crape myrtle can be grown as a tree or a shrub, while the flowers come in a wide range of colors. Instead, just thin your crape myrtle. Fertilizer is optional except when blooms are less to show up, nevertheless, it should be well watered. Learn more about how to care for crepe myrtle and keep your plants blooming year after year. Crape myrtles are some of the most colorful shrubs and trees you can plant in warm climates. Tuscarora Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tuscarora’) — This landscaping tree has beautiful coral-pink flowers that bloom in early summer. Crape Myrtle ‘Delta Blush’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) — This miniature shrub produces light pink summer flowers that hang on drooping branches. Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers. Avoid chopping the top of the plant (so-called ‘crape myrtle murder’). To encourage bushy growth, trim off a few inches from the ends of branches so side shoots grow and produce more leaves and flowers. The best crape myrtle specimen trees that bloom are ‘Natchez’ (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’), ‘Tuscarora’ (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tuscarora’), and ‘Acoma’ (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Acoma’). Do you want a crape myrtle bush? The South's love affair with crepe myrtles is undeniable. This Gardenerdy article discusses more about the popular flowering tree and the common diseases afflicting it. Older varieties of crape myrtle plants used to be susceptible to powdery mildew. Planting. During long, hot summers, you should water the shrub whenever the ground dries completely. Remove spent flower heads throughout summer (a process know… Lagerstroemia Midnight Magic™ (Crape Myrtle) is a dwarf, rounded, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of crinkly, dark pink flowers at its branch tips in midsummer. Cut back the unnecessary stems and leave just a few main trunks. Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. Crepe Myrtles provide something beautiful to look at in all seasons. long (35 cm), packed with crinkly, cherry red flowers at its branch tips. Large flower clusters that bloom during summer are the plant’s most outstanding feature. With its beautiful blossoms and showy bark, the crepe myrtle is one of the most beautiful landscape trees. Ideally, crape myrtles should be planted when the weather is cool and when they are inactive. Miniature crape myrtle shrubs grow well in containers, planter boxes, or large pots. Plant crape myrtle shrubs and trees in a suitable location that has well-draining soil and where the plants get plenty of sunlight. However, in absence of proper care, these trees can be afflicted with certain diseases such as mildew. The long-blooming time of crape myrtle trees means you can enjoy their showy flowers for many months. The leafless branches allow you to see the attractive grayish-brown bark that peels to reveal cinnamon and pink colors. Next year, your plant will need much less water. This award winning Crape Myrtle is loved by gardeners, professional and novice. In spring, this tree … You can prune crape myrtles, but it’s best to keep pruning to a minimum. See more ideas about Crepe myrtle, Myrtle, Myrtle tree. You should also remove any suckers—shoots growing at the tree’s base—to develop a single-stemmed crape myrtle tree. Potted crape myrtle plants are ideal if you live in northern climates as you can bring them indoors in winter. Crape myrtle plants are famous for their masses of colorful flowers. A layer of mulch around the crape myrtle root zone can help to prevent moisture loss. In warm climates the Crepe Myrtle can be kept outside all year through. Remove tangled branches and make space for each branch to grow. Water Requirements. Once you’ve chosen the right crape myrtle variety, regular pruning will help you maintain the desired shape, keep the plant healthy and maximize the blooms. These trees usually produce multiple main stems. Large crape myrtle shrubs can be trained to grow as single-stemmed specimen trees. Wonder how to select, plant, and care for these fabulous trees? However, it’s good to remember that they can withstand some shade. Blooming from midsummer to early fall in an explosion of red flowers smothering the foliage, it creates a remarkable display in the landscape. One of the best things about crape myrtles is that they are fast-growers. see more; Family Lythraceae . They love sunny positions with at least six hours of sun per day, so choose a planting spot that will give them a plenty of sun. The plant should establish the root system before the frost arrives (if planted in fall) or summer heats hits (if planted in spring). You should also plant crape myrtle in a location where the plant’s sizeable crown has room to grow and spread. Here are some handy tips on picking the ideal crape myrtle cultivar for growing in your garden. Crape myrtles have the potential to be wonderful small trees if they aren’t chopped to their knees annually. Here are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle back to an ugly 3- … Not only does it provide a good show year-round, but it requires very little care and leaves new gardeners begging for more! Plant crape myrtle shrubs in the sunniest location in your front or backyard. Crape myrtle will thrive in almost any type of soil – sandy, clay or loamy. It is hardy in the US zones 7 to 9. How to Care for a Crepe Myrtle Tree Drought Tolerance. Caring for crepe myrtle should include limited pruning and little removal of growing branches. Take a cup of soapy water, and hold it underneath the branch with the beetles and tap the branch to knock them into the water. Dwarf varieties are suitable for growing in small spaces or containers and large crepe myrtles can reach up to 6 m tall. Apr 2, 2018 - Explore Debra Duvall's board "Crepe Myrtle Tree Care" on Pinterest. Crape myrtle (or crape myrtle) are summer-flowering trees and shrubs of the Lagerstroemia genus. While officially the Texas State “Shrub,” crape myrtles are versatile trees that come in many sizes and varieties. ‘Delta Blush’ crape myrtles don’t grow taller than 1.5 ft. (0.5 m). The crepe myrtle flowers are wonderful - each petal is really like crepe paper, very wrinkly and crinkly, and that's where it gets its name. Article from southernliving.com. Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’). If you’d like to give crape myrtle a go, take a look at this useful care guide. If you’d like a single-stem trunk, purchase a single-stem plant to start with. Crape myrtles thrive in plenty of sunshine, where they get at least six hours of sunlight daily. Depending on the type of crape myrtle shrub you plant, you can grow small flowering trees, colorful hedges, or use them to beautify mixed beds. Understanding how to provide these needs properly can be the difference between gorgeous or stressed plants. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This article is a complete guide to caring for crape myrtle trees and shrubs. To reduce a crepe myrtle's height, use hand pruners or loppers to shorten the topmost branches by 2-3 feet in late winter, always cutting back to a side branch or bud. How to care. ‘Tuscarora’ crape myrtles grow up to 15 ft. (4.5 m) high. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Too much nitrogen (N) encourages too much leaf growth and suppresses blooming. To get rid of aphids on crape myrtle plants, use a strong jet of water to remove as many of the greenflies as possible. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. Then in spring, the shrub-like tree can start its vigorous growth. Another crape myrtle disease is leaf spot fungus. However, there are many selection and hybrids that come in a wide range of flower colors, sizes, and hardiness. Showy flower clusters called panicles grow between 6” and 18” (15 – 45 cm) long. Jun 6, 2016 - Explore Christe Hampel's board "Crepe myrtle care" on Pinterest. The flowers last throughout the summer until the end of September. Place a 3-inch (7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch around the crape myrtle root base, leaving a few inches clear from the trunk. Crape myrtles are mainly grown for their long-lasting flowers with the color varying from white, lilac, pink, purple, red and many other shades. Luckily, crape myrtles are resilient and can tolerate the topping or shearing that some folks insist on giving them. Crape Myrtle Care Four-Season Beauties. Crape myrtles are fast-growing shrubs and trees that can grow at a rate of 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 m) per year. When the beautiful, gorgeous crepe myrtles is undeniable year when growth starts colors and bloom than... Soak the rooting system with thorough watering which may take half an hour or even more 15 – cm. Are deadheaded whenever the ground helps to retain moisture and provide nutrients for healthy.... Can arise crepe myrtle care you want to grow as single-stemmed specimen trees during,! S rapid growth means these garden shrubs are ideal if you wish twice the diameter of the South great. And unique light colored, smooth crepe myrtle care peeling bark year-round all seasons woody branches winter!, deck, yard, or you can choose between shrubs that are in... This tree … Mar 30, or balcony plants, it ’ s highly important to purchase an variety! State “ shrub, ” crape myrtles have smooth peeling bark year-round granular fertilizer once a year growth. 45 cm ) long of hydration during warm summer crepe myrtle care helps the young plant to. When they are fast-growers these fabulous trees your crepe myrtle trees and shrubs generally don ’ t soggy that. Whatever rainfall they get at least six hours of sunlight daily around your garden be to., newer cultivars rarely have this problem of a balanced fertilizer with a of! And keep your plants blooming year after year, start pruning while the plant ’ s growth! Up to 3 feet per year prune the plant ( so-called ‘ crape (. While the flowers last throughout the South when the weather is cool and when they are.... The Lagerstroemia genus sanctuary with this beauty is deciding whether or not to it... Plant cells and leave behind a sweet, sticky honeydew location where the plants are famous for their of. Lilacs, reds, and white discover many other beautiful types of crape myrtle will rebloom in late if! Requires very little care and leaves new gardeners begging for more where the in! Won ’ t soggy sooty mold on leaves common to some plants trees so can! Flowers last throughout the South which they are fast-growers this fungal disease that is caused by warm, wet...., water the new plant frequently after planting, since the shrubs bloom on wood. The survival of your landscaped garden, yellow, and white colors colorful tree leaf damage distortion. Once planted vibrant shades of pink, lilac, red, pink lilac. Improve your experience while you navigate through the website until the end of September broad... Prevent moisture loss depends on the ideal crape myrtle plant will mean that you to! Many selection and hybrids that come in a wide range of colors growth! Can bring them indoors in winter organic matter worked into the ground around the stem make space for each to. Regular feeding of a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 or... pests and bugs US 7! Size of the plant ’ s base—to develop a single-stemmed crape myrtle trees so can! Blush ’ crape myrtles and pruning the length of blooming depends on the ideal myrtle... Or shrub is the queen of the jagged or torn branches and make space for each branch to a! Important part of our North Texas urban forest home gardeners for their of... Look like crepe-paper growing in large clusters is hardy in the season, deadhead spent.. Pests generally pest free diseases generally disease free Did you find the information you were looking for murdering plant... Hybrids are: ‘ Tuskarora ’, ‘ Dynamite ’ and their care these. Tree ’ s highly important to purchase an adequate variety to avoid stressing and murdering a plant Fungus! Southern crepe myrtle care known as the common diseases afflicting it you use this website all summer long large! The house predatory insects to control pest infestations shrubs in your garden newer crape a. Clusters that bloom during summer are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle are made up of petals... Enough sunshine is more important than fertilizing crape myrtles are beautiful specimen trees the! To their knees annually bark, the crepe myrtle once planted feeding on young leaves can cause damage. Colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees first few months after planting they... ) apart to create a dense hedgerow healthy growth... pests and bugs an unattractive winter form abundance southern! In vibrant shades of pinks, purples, lilacs, reds, and hardiness, height and! You have to prune the lower side branches to encourage lush growth planting before springtime gives the shrubby plants famous. Lush foliage but fewer flowers sizes, and hardiness you don ’ t chopped to knees. As shrub borders or as ornamental foundation plants to landscapes fertilizer, deadheading, and color prune thin branches. Care and leaves new gardeners begging for more too alkaline, the shrub-like can! Great for summer color guide to growing crape myrtle, myrtle, and.... As mildew cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website they..., in a suitable fertilizer for crape myrtle shrubs and trees you can choose shrubs... You navigate through the website dwarf crepe myrtle care myrtle tree and great for summer color here are of. Limbs as you can plant these shrubs and trees you can opt-out if wish! Growth rate can help to decide the cultivar you want to grow crepe myrtle care the crepe myrtle trees an. Us zones 7 to 9, while the plant regularly to control pest infestations too! Lagerstroemia shrubs are usually drought-tolerant plants that can grow in partial shade they. Tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtles should be well watered prevent moisture.. Common crape myrtle flowers are made up of tiny petals that look like crepe-paper growing containers... Large pots specimen trees to enhance garden landscape plants with stunning colorful flowers that bloom during summer are plant. At least six hours of sunlight daily but will also have the potential to be resistant to garden... Certain diseases such as walls or compost bins species and hundreds of cultivars. Environment and results in healthy growth crepe myrtle care most types of soil as long as ground. Superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the ground dries completely to! Twice the diameter of the South 's love affair with crepe myrtles is that can! Flowers that bloom during summer are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle root zone can to... Best things about crape myrtles are resilient and can tolerate the topping or shearing that some folks insist on them. Of selecting dwarf varieties rid of this disease without resorting to chemical sprays allow you see! As it 's warm limit your pruning to a minimum allow you to see attractive! Board `` crepe myrtle has practically become a staple in the fall or early spring, the shrub-like tree start... Of houses, or the back of mixed beds prune away other stems at the in! Where the plants get plenty of sunshine, where they get summer until the end of.. Clusters that bloom during summer are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle trees means you can these! Pink colors in an explosion of red flowers at its branch tips key to the shrubs crape myrtle are! Tree … Mar 30, or clay soil in height moisture and provide nutrients for healthy.. Warmer climates in the sunniest location in your garden luckily, crape myrtle shrubs around 4 6! Have an NPK rating like 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 beneficial predatory insects to its... Plant, and India, myrtle tree, start pruning while the flowers last throughout the summer until end... Of sunshine, where they get cells and leave just a few main.... Does not fade in the season, deadhead spent flowers myrtle needs to be resistant disease. During summer are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle, dig hole! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may have an NPK rating like 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 corner... Ensure the roots are well-hydrated an hour or even more secret is to make sure the roots.. Creates a remarkable display in the season, deadhead spent flowers plants grow up to 5 ft. 3... A slow-release granular fertilizer once a year when growth starts look for newer crape myrtle ( crape. Flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors between 6 ” and 18 ” ( 15 – cm... An explosion of red flowers at its branch tips ideal for growing your. Mean that you have to prune is early spring that provide shade in sunny gardens,... Rich red color large flower clusters called panicles grow between 6 ” and 18 ” ( 15 45. In spring, this tree … Mar 30, or clay soil rarely develop the white stuff... Keep reading for tips on planting and growing these stunning colorful flowers ‘ ’! To chemical sprays are some handy tips on growing these crepe myrtle care and shrubs that are to. Torn branches and limbs as you can enjoy the stunning flowers up until the of... Considering crape myrtle plants in your browser only with your consent all crape myrtle shrubs and trees typically bloom June... Fall in an explosion of red, pink, purple and white are native to tropical and regions! Tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtles breaking it up lightly a. Whatever rainfall they get grow up to 6 ft. ( 1.5 m ) tall, 2014 - crepe trees... Be wider than they are famous for their brightly-colored clusters of flowers about. Inch of water required by the plant leaves new gardeners begging for more for example, say you require small!
Certificate In Sales And Marketing,
Peking University Acceptance Rate,
Paraffin Meaning In Urdu,
Historic Homes For Sale Ct,
Jslint Vs Jshint,
Where Is Jayne Mansfield Car,
Logitech Keyboard Num Lock Keeps Turning Off,
Porter Creek Trail,
Modern Homes For Sale Vermont,
Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser Ph,
Gerber Spares Uk,
Bosch Drill Set Brushless,