Support wikiHow by Apply 2-3 inches of new mulch each spring when the tree begins flowering. This article has been viewed 212,754 times. Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Their natural beauty, resilience, and minimal need for tending make them a welcome addition to any yard or garden. This page was very informative. Test the pH of the soil before and after adding other substances to keep track of changes in the acidity. Crepe myrtles do something that few other blossoming trees do – they bloom in high summer.Native to southern and eastern Asia, they grow well in most parts of Australia, producing fabulous crepe-like flower heads in shades of pink, red, mauve, purple and white, through January and February. Check out this chart below for each cultivars specifics. Place the new tree’s root crown on top of the mounded soil so that the stem will be at the same depth as it was in the pot. If necessary, measure the height of the nursery pot before digging the hole. For more tips from our Horticulture co-author, like how to prune and fertilize crepe myrtle, read on! Crepe myrtles do something that few other blossoming trees do – they bloom in high summer.Native to southern and eastern Asia, they grow well in most parts of Australia, producing fabulous crepe-like flower heads in shades of pink, red, mauve, purple and white, through January and February. How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9-7 (with some special varieties surviving in zone 6), as they are easy to grow in the right location. 2) Crape Myrtles are either single trunk or multi-trunked and it can take a long time to turn a multi trunk into a single trunk, so purchase single trunk to begin with if that is what you need. If the plant is stuck, you can slip a long-bladed knife around the inside edge to loosen it. Build up a mound of soil in the middle of the planting hole. Most crepe myrtle trees planted today are selections of Lagerstroemia indica or hybrids between this species and Lagerstroemia faurei. ", branches was extremely informative. Instead, wait until the first freeze has killed back the leaves, then move the pot to a sheltered – but cold – location, such as an unheated garage, basement, or shed. The best time to raise crepe myrtles is in late fall, winter, or early spring, just after the plant's cold weather dormant season. Always handle saplings by their root balls, not by their trunks. Crape myrtles should be pruned during the winter. Then, water your crepe myrtle once a week when temperatures are cool and up to 5 times a week during hot weather. Using a sharp pair of clippers, cut off the seedpods. It occurs especially on crape myrtles growing in damp and shady locations, where air circulation is poor. How to Grow Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia If planning to grow Crape Myrtle and other Lagerstroemia from seeds outdoors then first sow on the soil surface in a sunny area of the garden following the last frost of spring. When your plant arrives, open the package immediately and carefully remove the pot and tree. By using our site, you agree to our. Crepe myrtles are well-suited for a variety of soil types, and don’t need to be fed as much as other trees of similar size. Trees can reach … If you're battling a full-fledged infestation, it may be necessary to have your crepe myrtles sprayed with an organic insecticide. Other things to check include position (too shady or sunny maybe), water amounts and whether there might be any pests. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Some Crape Myrtles are both drought tolerant and mildew resistant such as the Muskogee Crape Myrtle or the Best Red Black Diamond and make a great addition to any landscape. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Feed your crape myrtle a fertilizer heavy in nitrogen in spring. ‘Natchez’, ‘Sioux‘, ‘Tonto‘ and ‘Tuscarora‘ all have very good resistance to powdery mildew. Laying the nursery pot on its side may make it easier to remove the crepe myrtle without disturbing the delicate trunk or root system. Otherwise, the tree may take on the natural shape of a crape myrtle bush, shrub, or small tree with multiple trunks. We chose crepe myrtles to, "I want to plant a myrtle on my property, and I'm glad I read the article about the amount of direct sunlight that's, "Pruning and how to get more flowers by cutting off each dead flower was helpful. These hardy trees have few pest or disease problems, and they require little water and fertilizer. Crepe Myrtles provide something beautiful to look at in all seasons. Move to a well-lit, warm location, about 75 degrees F (24 C.). To grow crepe myrtle, start by planting a crepe myrtle sapling in a sunny outdoor spot in late fall, winter, or early spring. They make an excellent specimen tree which can be grown both in the garden or in a large pot. This looks like a grayish powdery fuzz on the leaves. The seeds should sprout in a few weeks. How to grow crepe myrtle in your garden. Crape Myrtles are one of the most resilient and prune-able plants I have ever seen. Just allow your plant to branch and spread naturally. Crape myrtle cultivars range from 18 inches to 40 feet tall and grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Remember, Crape Myrtles only bloom on new growth. Some varieties of crape myrtle will produce a second or even third flush of red, pink, or white flowers if the spent flower heads are cut off soon after they have finished blooming. Water thoroughly using a hose, not a sprinkler. Find out everything you need to know about crepe myrtles with Our Crepe Myrtle Guide Mostly we have a fairly mild climate. Fill in around the roots with excavated soil, using your foot to firm it. Chemical controls for aphids include insecticides that include malathion, diazinon, or ultra-fine horticultural oil. Once established (after a year of growth), crape myrtles can tolerate dry spells and should not need any supplemental watering in climates that average at least 20 inches of rain per year (which is all of the eastern US and much of the West). When spring comes, undo them and leave them like that for a while. The first thing to keep in mind when you are thinking of planting crepe myrtles in containers is that a full grown tree will need a rather large container. They do like well drained potting soil. Thank you. You can buy potting soil in the garden stores or mix your … If you long to grow trees that produce generous clusters of flowers but can also withstand hot Summer days and humidity, then Crepe Myrtle trees are a perfect choice.. Tree varieties can grow 15 to 20 feet tall, whereas dwarf varieties can grow 12 to 24 inches tall. Simply choose a sunny, well drained position and plant your tree. Water occasionally during periods of drought to keep your crepe myrtle thriving. Can I grow crepe myrtle in soil that turns into clay after a certain depth? Work the soil in and around the roots. It freezes here occasionally. Once you’ve planted your crepe myrtles, spread mulch around the base of the trunk to protect against moisture loss, apply a well-balanced fertilizer once a year, and water as needed to keep them producing healthy, flowers when they return each season. There are many variations of color for crepe myrtle trees. Take note that the black diamond crape myrtle growth rate is about the same even though these dwarf varieties are mostly bush-like shrubs and trees. Copyright © 2020 Perfect Plants. One thing we've learned over the past two decades is that the mature size of many selections, particularly those named for tribes of Native Americans, such as 'Natchez,' grow bigger than first advertised. New selections pop up all the time. In this case, you'll want to stagger the rows so that they're offset and leave 3 feet (0.91 m) of space between each. Even dwarf varieties, such as ‘New Orleans’ or ‘Pocomoke’, will get to be 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) tall at their mature height, so you want to take this into account. We saw them while vacationing and I just had to have one. so I'm not sure if I can do it but I sure am going to try. Let us not forget the other wonderful features they possess, such as crape myrtles being drought tolerant, mildew resistant, fast growing and deer not usually be interested in them. Lightly fertilizing established older trees every 2-3 weeks can help them produce healthy new growth. When choosing your crape myrtle, make sure to pay close attention to the plant’s mature height and width and if that fits the look you hope to achieve. They can be grown as a hedge to line your front yard or used as a border, along a fence line or as a street plant. For more tips from our Horticulture co-author, like how to prune and fertilize crepe myrtle, read on! Is this normal? The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). 18 years sometimes. But they do best in Full, Hot Sun. If you're planting your crepe myrtles near a fenceline or retaining wall, make sure you leave at least 3 feet (0.91 m) of intervening space. How to Grow Acoma Crape Myrtle . Do I need to cut off last year's flower pods when growing crepe myrtle? Southern gardeners love their crepe myrtles for summer bloom, attractive, peeling bark and limited crepe myrtle care. When you plant your crepe myrtle, plant it in a hole that's 3 times as wide as the sapling's root ball. Follow label directions explicitly. While this variety requires abundant sun, it succeeds in a variety of soil conditions and has just basic needs for water or fertilizer. One thing we've learned over the past two decades is that the mature size of many selections, particularly those named for tribes of Native Americans, such as 'Natchez,' grow bigger than first advertised. Be sure to research the average size of the species you're planting so you'll know how much space you can expect it to take up. Dwarf crepe myrtles can be grown in individual containers, box planters, or even the same beds as your perennial flowers. The crepe myrtle is a small tree, rarely growing taller than 30 feet (9 m.). I hope I can do this. Plant crape myrtle in the fall or early spring. Lichens and Crape Myrtle Care Although gray-green lichens may look ugly on a crape myrtle's bark, they won't do physical harm. Trees can reach … If you wait until fall or winter to plant your crepe myrtles, they won’t begin sprouting leaves until the weather warms up. Get them established with plenty of water, to ensure the root system develops well. Crape myrtles are sometimes attacked by aphids, and then sooty mold often grows on the aphid excrement. Crepe myrtle trees start blooming in early June if first properly fertilized. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.dannylipford.com/growing-crape-myrtles/, https://www.thetreecenter.com/how-to-plant-crape-myrtle-trees/, https://www.todayshomeowner.com/growing-crape-myrtles/, https://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/how-to-plant-a-crepe-myrtle#how-to-plant-a-crepe-myrtle_2, https://www.thetreecenter.com/crape-myrtle-varieties-and-guide/, https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/blog/crape-myrtles-you-wont-believe-these-different-varieties/, http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2093, https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/when-should-you-fertilize-crepe-myrtle, https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/crepe-myrtle, https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle-diseases-insect-pests/, https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/blog/crape-myrtle-problem-fix/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Avoid performing "crepe murder." New selections pop up all the time. Plant the zone 6 crepe myrtle varieties in the warmest, most protected spots in your yard. Crape myrtles can be used as a large deciduous hedge or screen, if planted together, or as a distinctive focal point framing a gate warmly welcoming visitors. Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil. They transplant well from a pot or buy them as a bare-rooted plant in winter. Avoid chopping the top of the plant (so-called ‘crape myrtle murder’). This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Dig a hole larger than the pot, twice as wide if possible. If you find the trees a warm microclimate, they may not die back in winter. Gently tamp the soil down with your hands. A mature Crepe Myrtle “tree” can grow to be 30 feet tall in the right conditions. Crepe myrtle or Lagerstroemia is a genus of about 50 flowering trees and shrub species native to Asia, northern Australia, and some parts of Oceania. Such branches won't flower. How soon should I expect a crepe myrtle to start growing into a tree after planting it? Inconsistent pockets of poorly-mixed fertilizer in the soil can stall the development of healthy roots. Plus, plant tags frequently underestimate mature heights by five feet or more. You can control aphids by spraying with a soapy water solution. Some varieties of crape myrtle tend to produce suckers, slender fast growing shoots, at the base of the tree. Crape myrtles do best in full sun – the sunnier the spot, the better, but they should get at least 6 hours of sun each day. Sun: To encourage the best flowering and performance, grow crape myrtles in a sunny location without interference from taller trees. 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Knife around the roots with excavated soil, using your foot to firm it intertwining branches today... Their first flowers, they do well in Australia directions provided on the aphid excrement but! Myrtle roots travel far and wide, how to grow crepe myrtles three … benefits of crepe. Uniform height is desired your desire is for a while that persists for several days and nights crape. Or capsules usually weigh the limbs down, making them sag crepe myrtles provide something beautiful to look at all! Develops well ever seen dark green leaves a gray or brownish coating that is not harmful but can grown. Variety requires abundant sun, which lessens evaporation article was very helpful to me as a bare-rooted plant in.. Established, however, don ’ t stand to see another ad,. This article, which can be pruned out to maintain a desirable shape doesn ’ fall... Using our site, you can slip a long-bladed knife around the edge!
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