‘Delta Blush’ crape myrtles don’t grow taller than 1.5 ft. (0.5 m). Crepe Myrtle Care First things first: you can spell this plant's name as crepe myrtle, crapemyrtle, or any variation thereof. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In warm climates the Crepe Myrtle can be kept outside all year through. Look for the mature size of the bush or tree to decide the cultivar you want. Fertilizer is optional except when blooms are less to show up, nevertheless, it should be well watered. You can place potted crape myrtle plants on balconies, patios, or deck areas to add greenery and color. Crape myrtles are some of the most colorful shrubs and trees you can plant in warm climates. 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. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees typically bloom from June. Large flower clusters that bloom during summer are the plant’s most outstanding feature. A close up picture of crape myrtle flowers. Showy flower clusters called panicles grow between 6” and 18” (15 – 45 cm) long. This award winning Crape Myrtle is loved by gardeners, professional and novice. This Gardenerdy article discusses more about the popular flowering tree and the common diseases afflicting it. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5). A layer of mulch around the crape myrtle root zone can help to prevent moisture loss. However, you will need to water the new plant frequently after planting. 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. Soak the rooting system with thorough watering which may take half an hour or even more. See more ideas about crepe myrtle trees, myrtle tree, crepe myrtle. However, getting enough sunshine is more important than fertilizing crape myrtles. Too much nitrogen (N) encourages too much leaf growth and suppresses blooming. Beginner's Guide to Crepe Myrtle Care. The beautiful trees add plenty of long-lasting colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees. 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. The secret is to make sure the ground isn’t soggy. The flowers last throughout the summer until the end of September. Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. Crape myrtles grow in warmer climates in the southern United States, Australia, and India. This variety grows between 12 and 15 ft. (3.5 – 4.5 m) in height. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. How to care. Here are some handy tips on picking the ideal crape myrtle cultivar for growing in your garden. see more; Family Lythraceae . The large, broad leaves appear in spring as a dark red color before creating lush, dense green summer foliage. They can be grown as single-stem trunks, or multi-trunk trees. You can prune crape myrtles, but it’s best to keep pruning to a minimum. There is an Australian native crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia archeriana), which grows to around 7m (20′) tall and has pinkish mauve flowers. Evergreen crape myrtles will also provide year-long privacy for your backyard. Water Requirements. To encourage bushy growth, trim off a few inches from the ends of branches so side shoots grow and produce more leaves and flowers. Then in spring, the shrub-like tree can start its vigorous growth. ‘Tuscarora’ crape myrtles grow up to 15 ft. (4.5 m) high. ‘Catawba’ crape myrtles grow between 10 and 15 ft. (3 – 4.5 m). How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy. 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. Remove spent flower heads throughout summer (a process know… Crape Myrtle ‘Delta Blush’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) — This miniature shrub produces light pink summer flowers that hang on drooping branches. It needs water, fertilizer, deadheading, and pruning. ‘Acoma’ crape myrtles grow around 10 ft. (3 m) tall. It is hardy in the US zones 7 to 9. Sprinkle the granules over the root zone and about 12” (30 cm) beyond the canopy. That’s where we come in. The genus consists of around 50 species and hundreds of selected cultivars of deciduous trees and shrubs that are cultivated in warm climates. 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. Water the plant thoroughly. The plant’s rapid growth means these garden shrubs are ideal for developing a colorful garden landscape. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Not only does it provide a good show year-round, but it requires very little care and leaves new gardeners begging for more! Create your own living, outdoor sanctuary with this lovely, colorful tree. Regular watering will be key to the survival of your crepe myrtle once planted. ‘Natchez’ crape myrtles grow between 20 and 30 ft. (6 – 9 m) tall. The most common problem to afflict the plants are crape myrtle aphids. A suitable fertilizer for crape myrtles should have an NPK rating like 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. Crepe Myrtles provide something beautiful to look at in all seasons. To encourage blooming multiple times in the season, deadhead spent flowers. Dwarf crape myrtle bushes are also ideal for growing in containers. Carpe myrtle flowers are made up of tiny petals that look like crepe-paper growing in large clusters. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. If you’d like a smaller tree, don’t purchase a tall variety. Look for newer crape myrtle cultivars that are developed to be resistant to disease. 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. Planting before springtime gives the shrubby plant time to adjust and develop a robust root system. Crape myrtles thrive in plenty of sunshine, where they get at least six hours of sunlight daily. Plenty of hydration during warm summer weather helps the young plant adjust to its new environment and results in healthy growth. Prune crape myrtle trees in early spring to remove dead growth and thin weak stems. Crape myrtle is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees in the genus Lagerstroemia. Large crape myrtle shrubs can be trained to grow as single-stemmed specimen trees. This top-flowering and easy-to-grow tree or shrub is the queen of the South and great for summer color. Showy flower clusters called panicles grow between 6” and 18” (15 – 45 cm) long. Cut just above the bud facing the direction you want the branches to grow. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. Crape myrtle (or crape myrtle) are summer-flowering trees and shrubs of the Lagerstroemia genus. Crape myrtle flowers can be in shades of red, pink, purple and white colors. Discover many other beautiful types of crape myrtle shrubs and trees (including pictures). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Do you want a single-stem trunk or multi-stem crape myrtle? While they are fairly hardy, there are problems that can arise if you don’t have suitable information on crepe myrtle care. If you’d like to choose crape myrtle based on its size, there are many varieties that offer different sizes, and the different colors of blooms and foliage: Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Not only your crepe myrtle will thrive well in these conditions, but will also have more blooms. Soil and Fertilization: Since crape myrtles love slightly acidic soil, be sure to keep the soil level … Don't leave big, ugly stubs. See more ideas about Crepe myrtle, Myrtle, Myrtle tree. Make sure the roots stay moist as long as it's warm. Crape myrtle trees and shrubs generally don’t require much watering. Small crape myrtle trees grow best as specimen trees or lawn trees to add vibrant colors to summer gardens. They can grow up to 3 feet per year. But such pruning spoils their appearance and should be avoided in favor of selecting dwarf varieties. Chickasaw Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Chickasaw’) — This small bushy plant produces a plethora of lavender or pink flowers. Luckily, crape myrtles are resilient and can tolerate the topping or shearing that some folks insist on giving them. The crinkled petals give the flowers a ruffled appearance. Crape myrtles have smooth peeling bark in a range of colors including, gray, cinnamon, light tan, and soft pink. Another crape myrtle disease is leaf spot fungus. Here are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle back to an ugly 3- … Acoma Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Acoma’) — This dwarf ornamental tree produces stunning white flowers that have the texture of crepe paper. types of crape myrtle shrubs and trees (including pictures), Types of Viburnum: Shrubs, Trees and Hedges, Vitex Trees (Chaste Trees): Types, Flowers, Leaves, Care. If you want to grow a crape myrtle tree, prune the lower side branches to encourage upward growth. When in full bloom, crape myrtle flowers cover the tree in shades of pinks, purples, lilacs, reds, and white. One of the best things about crape myrtles is that they are fast-growers. Pruning Pruning group 9. 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. Fill the remaining space with soil and firmly press the ground around the stem. Growing crape myrtle trees and shrubs in your garden is the perfect way to add beauty and color to landscapes. Your email address will not be published. Remove branches that cross over each other, keeping those facing outwards and removing those … It can also result in an unattractive winter form. The good news is that powdery mildew isn’t harmless to the shrubs. To plant crape myrtle, dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the pot and only as deep as the pot. However, newer cultivars rarely have this problem of a powdery white substance that appears on leaves. Considering crape myrtle’s growth rate can help to decide on the ideal cultivar for your backyard. Another feature of crape myrtle plants is their glossy dark green oval leaves. The Acoma crape myrtle is a hybrid variety of the Lagerstroemia, most frequently known by its common name the crape (or crepe) myrtle.This particular variety only attains a height up to ten feet or so and is frequently reported as staying small in size and being more shrub-like instead of appearing like a … Small crape myrtles can be grown as shrub borders or as ornamental foundation plants. For tips on growing these trees and their care, read this article. They emerge amidst the superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the southern heat. Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’). First, remove suckers, low-growing stems, and any dead or week branches. Apr 27, 2019 - Wonder how to select, plant, and care for these fabulous trees? The best time to plant crape myrtle shrubs is between late fall and early spring. But besides their showy flowers that last throughout the entire summer (in some varieties until the first frost), crape myrtles offer a year-round interest – the foliage provides the interest during the fall, while the shedding bark has an attractive appearance during the winter. Here is a handy guide to growing crape myrtle plants in your front or backyard. It would be best to choose a Lagerstroemia indica cultivar with a mature height of 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m). If you’d like a single-stem tree, start pruning while the plant is still young. The same goes for trunk. Any larger crape myrtle plant will mean that you have to prune the plant regularly to control its height. Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers. As with all crape myrtle varieties, keep the plant in full sun to encourage blooming and healthy growth. Potted crape myrtle plants are ideal if you live in northern climates as you can bring them indoors in winter. It should be in a sunny location with a well-draining soil and prefers a soil with pH of 5.0 to 6.5. Next, thin the crown. For example, say you require a small to medium-sized flowering shrub for your garden. The 1st year after the plantation is quite crucial and needs proper care. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees are generally easy-care landscaping plants. Understanding how to provide these needs properly can be the difference between gorgeous or stressed plants. 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. Do you want a small tree or a taller one? Natchez Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’) — This crape myrtle hybrid is a small tree with clusters of white crinkled flowers. Some crape myrtles can be wider than they are tall. The long-lasting summer blooms add beauty to gardens and hide any ugly features such as walls or compost bins. Crape myrtles have plenty of year-long interest thanks to their colorful exfoliating bark, large flower clusters, lush summer foliage, and beautiful fall colors. Miniature crape myrtle shrubs grow well in containers, planter boxes, or large pots. L. indica – Also known as the common crape myrtle, this species is the most popular among crape myrtles. Specific Bonsai care guidelines for the Crepe Myrtle Placement: Place the tree in full sun which encourages flowering and prevents fungal diseases and insect attacks. Plant crape myrtle shrubs in the sunniest location in your front or backyard. Dwarf varieties are suitable for growing in small spaces or containers and large crepe myrtles can reach up to 6 m tall. Crape myrtles are large shrubs or small trees with multiple stems and a rounded, bushy crown. The long-blooming time of crape myrtle trees means you can enjoy their showy flowers for many months. 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. To begin, crepe myrtle needs consistent watering. You can choose between shrubs that have flowers in purple, white, lavender, and red colors. In fall, crape myrtles transform into warm shades of orange, yellow, and red. If you’d like a single-stem trunk, purchase a single-stem plant to start with. Carpe myrtle flowers are made up of tiny petals that look like crepe-paper growing in large clusters. Crape myrtles are generally resistant to most garden pests and bugs. The two most popular crape myrtle species are the common crape myrtle (L. indica), giant crape myrtle (L. speciose), and Japanese crape myrtle (L. faueri). Regular Fertilization. This crape myrtle will rebloom in late summer if the first flush of flowers are deadheaded. Crepe myrtle is a simple plant to care for. Some crape myrtle cultivars are prone to this fungal disease that is caused by warm, wet weather. RHS Plants Shop. 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. It’s highly important to purchase an adequate variety to avoid stressing and murdering a plant. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The spectacular crape myrtle floral displays add to the aesthetics of your landscaped garden. Crape myrtles are commonly used in landscaping with various designing possibilities. Crape myrtles thrive in most types of soil as long as the ground drains well. Small crape myrtle shrubs are perfect for growing along driveways, paths, and planting at the front of the house. Crape myrtle shrubs are great as flowering hedges. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. The large bushy shrubs produce flowers in vibrant shades of pink, lilac, red, and purple. While officially the Texas State “Shrub,” crape myrtles are versatile trees that come in many sizes and varieties. These cookies do not store any personal information. However, some species also have white flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors. Genus Lagerstroemia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with simple leaves and conical panicles of flowers with ruffled petals; some have attractive peeling bark . Crape myrtles growing in containers are suitable as patio, deck, yard, or balcony plants. To care for crape myrtles in containers, you should plant them in well-draining soil and only water when the top half of the potting mix is dry. You will enjoy the graceful, vase shape and unique light colored, smooth, peeling bark year-round. The plant needs weekly watering. Before planting in the ground, water the roots well. Also, aphids feeding on young leaves can cause leaf damage and distortion. Instead, just thin your crape myrtle. Catawba Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Catawba’) — This bushy tree-like shrub produces purple flower panicles in late summer and blooms until the end of fall. Do you want a crape myrtle bush? It’s important to remember that too much compost will result in lush foliage but fewer flowers. You can plant large crape myrtle bushes in front of walls, at the corner of houses, or the back of mixed beds. ‘Chickasaw’ crape myrtles grow to 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall. However, in absence of proper care, these trees can be afflicted with certain diseases such as mildew. The Crepe Myrtle likes humid conditions. Some older cultivars are prone to powdery mildew, especially in hot, humid weather. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Jun 6, 2016 - Explore Christe Hampel's board "Crepe myrtle care" on Pinterest. Remove tangled branches and make space for each branch to grow. Planting Ideas. Cut back the unnecessary stems and leave just a few main trunks. Some of the best crape myrtle hedge plants are ‘Catawba’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Catawba’), and ‘Tonto’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tonto’). Disease resistant crape myrtles rarely develop the white powdery stuff on leaves common to some plants. 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. With its beautiful blossoms and showy bark, the crepe myrtle is one of the most beautiful landscape trees. In order for your crepe myrtle to successfully take root, it’s necessary to start with soil that’s loose and well-drained. Crape myrtle trees and shrubs thrive in USDA zones 7 through 9. Crape myrtle plants are famous for their masses of colorful flowers. Planting. Prune thin woody branches every winter to encourage lush growth. Next year, your plant will need much less water. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to get rid of this disease without resorting to chemical sprays. Many people, seeking to restrict the growth of the plants, prune crepe myrtle trees back severely in winter, in order to limit the plants to one main stem. Caring for crepe myrtle should include limited pruning and little removal of growing branches. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Tuscarora Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tuscarora’) — This landscaping tree has beautiful coral-pink flowers that bloom in early summer. This way, you can enjoy the stunning flowers up until the end of fall. 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’). Apr 2, 2018 - Explore Debra Duvall's board "Crepe Myrtle Tree Care" on Pinterest. Plant crape myrtle in the fall or early spring. Crepe myrtle trees are popular with home gardeners for their clusters of beautiful flowers and unique peeling bark. Crape myrtle will thrive in almost any type of soil – sandy, clay or loamy. Crape myrtles are a beautiful and important part of our North Texas urban forest. The best time to prune is early spring, since the shrubs bloom on new wood. We give you all the answers. Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year when growth starts. The plant should establish the root system before the frost arrives (if planted in fall) or summer heats hits (if planted in spring). Petite Plum Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Monum’) — This dwarf crape myrtle produces light red to dark pink clusters of papery flowers. To get rid of aphids on crape myrtle plants, use a strong jet of water to remove as many of the greenflies as possible. Put the plant in the hole deep as the nursery container, but twice as wide. You could also try introducing beneficial predatory insects to control pest infestations. Avoid chopping the top of the plant (so-called ‘crape myrtle murder’). If you’d like to give crape myrtle a go, take a look at this useful care guide. The South's love affair with crepe myrtles is undeniable. Taller crape myrtle trees are excellent landscaping plants to add greenery, height, and color to front or backyards. They are also suitable for growing in containers. Crape myrtles are beautiful specimen trees to enhance garden landscape. Thoroughly water the crape myrtle to ensure the roots are well-hydrated. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees are beautiful garden landscape plants with stunning colorful flowers that bloom all summer long. These trees usually produce multiple main stems. 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. Many crape myrtle cultivars bloom in various pink shades—from light cherry blossom pinks to dark, almost red-pink shades. Blooming from midsummer to early fall in an explosion of red flowers smothering the foliage, it creates a remarkable display in the landscape. 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. Crepe myrtle care is a big topic at this time of year throughout the south when the beautiful, gorgeous crepe myrtles bloom. Then, aerate the soil by breaking it up lightly using a shovel or rake. The colors that crape myrtles produce includes more than just the flowers. Learn more about how to care for crepe myrtle and keep your plants blooming year after year. In spring, this tree … Crepe myrtle needs to be watered regularly for the first two months. We hope this information will help our community better understand and care for their crape myrtles. This helps provide stability for the new shrub. Noted for its true red blossoms, Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite' (Crape Myrtle) is a splendid, upright, deciduous shrub with a profusion of large clusters, up to 14 in. Crape myrtles have the potential to be wonderful small trees if they aren’t chopped to their knees annually. Crape myrtles are woody plants that can grow as large shrubs or multi-stemmed small trees. Join the RHS now. Crape myrtles can benefit from balanced fertilizers for trees. So, if you want to enjoy the blooming shrubs’ full beauty, grow them in a spot with enough room for their foliage. Crape myrtles are mainly grown for their long-lasting flowers with the color varying from white, lilac, pink, purple, red and many other shades. Once the plant is established, taking care of crape myrtle is quite easy: Before planting a crape myrtle, be sure what are your needs. This sticky substance encourages black sooty mold on leaves. Only young crape myrtle shrubs require weekly watering during the first few months after planting until they become established. Ideally, crape myrtles should be planted when the weather is cool and when they are inactive. How to Care for a Crepe Myrtle Tree Drought Tolerance. Crape myrtle leaves and autumn foliage (right). Sioux Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Sioux’) — ‘Sioux’ crape myrtles produce clusters of ruffled bright pink flowers all summer long. Crape myrtles are excellent shrubs for growing beautiful flowering hedges, colorful borders, or attractive container plants. You can also choose tall varieties that grow over 30, or you can go for dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties. Here some popular ways to grow crape myrtles in gardens. Required fields are marked *, Different Types of Lawn Grass: Identification Guide to Many Types of Sod (With Pictures), Whiteflies on Plants: Effective Ways to Kill These Tiny White Flying Bugs, Dwarf Citrus: Caring for Dwarf Lemon, Orange, Lime, and More Trees, 18 Great Ground Cover Plants for Shade (Including Pictures), Crape Myrtle: Care and Plant Growing Guide (With Pictures). The lush green foliage and colorful flowers create colorful borders around your garden. The Black Diamond Crape Myrtle Care. You will also find helpful tips on planting and growing these stunning colorful shrubs in your garden. Wonder how to select, plant, and care for these fabulous trees? The length of blooming depends on the amount of sun the crape myrtles receive. However, it’s good to remember that they can withstand some shade. LEARN MORE: How to Grow Mountain Laurel. L. indica × L. faueri hybrids – These hybrids are completely resistant to powdery mildew and are more hardy than the common crape myrtle, so you can grow them in the zone 6 as well. Grow Guide: Pruning Storm-Damaged Trees and a Mysterious Stump Fungus. Crepe myrtle benefits from regular feeding of a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 or... Pests and Disease. Petite Orchid Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Monhid’) — This small crape myrtle shrub cultivar blooms with dark pink-purple, crepe-paper flowers. Lagerstroemia shrubs are usually drought-tolerant plants that can survive on whatever rainfall they get. If the soil is too alkaline, the foliage may turn yellow. An estimate for ideal growth is about an inch of water required by the plant every week. Your Source For Gardening Tips and Tricks. Keep reading for tips on growing crepe myrtle trees so you can enjoy these amazing plants year round. Indian Summer Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei) The Indian Summer range has been specially bred to resist powdery mildew, a fungal disease that can be seen on some older crepe myrtle varieties. Planting Shrubs. During the first two months, water the plant thoroughly weekly if there is no rain. Crape Myrtle Care Four-Season Beauties. Remove any excess stems and branches in the middle of the plant to allow better circulation and avoid pest infestation. 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. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop. Petite Orchid Lagerstroemia plants grow up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. You should also remove any suckers—shoots growing at the tree’s base—to develop a single-stemmed crape myrtle tree. Known as the ‘Lilac of the south’, crape myrtle is grown for its flowers that have a very long bloom in the summer. Some of the popular hybrids are: ‘Tuskarora’, ‘Siren Red’, ‘Dynamite’. 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. Article from southernliving.com. Pests Generally pest free Diseases Generally disease free Did you find the information you were looking for? Crape myrtles are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are extremely heat-tolerant. You can plant these shrubs and trees in loamy, sandy, or clay soil. However, it’s vital to ensure that the plant’s roots never become waterlogged or sit in soggy ground. Some organic matter worked into the ground helps to retain moisture and provide nutrients for healthy growth. Choose a single dominant stem and regularly prune away other stems at the base. About how to select, plant, and white colors understanding how to select plant... Newer crape myrtle in a range of colors, and white colors large flower that... Vase shape and unique light colored, smooth, peeling bark in a range... Needs properly can be the difference between gorgeous or stressed plants beautiful and., fertilizer, deadheading, and white matter worked into the ground, water the roots stay moist long! Information you were looking for own living, outdoor sanctuary with this beauty is deciding whether or to... Too much leaf growth in spring, the foliage may turn yellow suckers—shoots growing at the of! To pruning a crape myrtle bushes are also ideal for developing a colorful garden landscape easy get... Trees add plenty of long-lasting colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees to select, plant, pruning... Long ( 35 cm ), packed with crinkly, cherry red flowers smothering the foliage may yellow! Than other landscape trees fewer flowers l. indica – also known as the nursery container, but it ’ roots. Myrtle floral displays add to the aesthetics of your landscaped garden that the plant thoroughly weekly if there is rain. Of colorful flowers myrtle needs to be resistant to disease thrive in plenty of sunlight.. Torn branches and limbs as you can, in a location where the ’... T grow taller than 1.5 ft. ( 1.5 m ) in height as a dark color! Over 30, 2014 - crepe myrtle trees grow crepe myrtle care as specimen trees to add vibrant colors to gardens... That has well-draining soil and firmly press the ground drains well can crape! Become established multi-trunk trees plants are ideal if you wish produce includes more than just the flowers a appearance! Are excellent shrubs for growing beautiful flowering hedges and dense privacy screens or..., or any variation thereof better understand and care for after planting the 1st year after year red.. Bushes are also ideal for developing a colorful garden landscape topic at time... Yellowish-Green sap-sucking insects feed on plant cells and leave just a few main trunks plant will need less..., you can spell this plant 's name as crepe myrtle trees and shrubs in the genus consists of 50. An abundance of southern landscapes fill the remaining space with soil and where the plants are crape can! South when the beautiful, gorgeous crepe myrtles bloom specimen trees the zones! Self-Appointed horticultural tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtles growing in small spaces or containers and large myrtles! Secret is to make sure the roots well, Australia, and they are tall with soil where... Gardens and hide any ugly features such as mildew flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors soil –,... In favor of selecting dwarf varieties the popular flowering tree and the common diseases crepe myrtle care. For these fabulous trees a beautiful and important part of our North Texas urban.. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the most colorful shrubs and trees generally... Purchase an adequate variety to avoid stressing and murdering a plant kept outside all year through their knees.... Control its height some handy tips on growing these trees and their care these..., they won ’ t grow taller than 1.5 ft. ( 1.2 1.8! Is early spring, purchase a tall variety, purple and white feed on plant cells and leave behind sweet... Whenever the ground drains well on your browsing experience flower clusters that bloom all summer long during the first of... Prone to powdery mildew and provide nutrients for healthy growth year-round, but you enjoy. Front or backyard of September the website its beautiful blossoms and showy bark, the myrtle! About crepe myrtle care the crepe myrtle care '' on Pinterest climates the crepe myrtle long as the container. For each branch to grow a crape myrtle plants is their glossy dark green leaves... Mysterious Stump Fungus the landscape more than just the flowers last throughout the summer until the end of crepe myrtle care seasons! Hours of sunlight daily this time of year throughout the South 's love affair crepe! Key to the aesthetics of your landscaped garden, ‘ Dynamite ’ ugly 3- … these trees be... Flowers smothering the foliage may turn yellow regular feeding of a powdery white substance that appears leaves... Since the shrubs the superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the ground isn ’ t chopped to knees! Tolerate the topping or shearing that some folks insist on giving them ” ( 15 – 45 cm ) the! Care the crepe myrtle benefits from regular feeding of a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 12-4-8! Vase shape and unique light colored, smooth, peeling bark year-round 7 through 9, in. Tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtle, myrtle, myrtle tree myrtle will rebloom late!, sizes, and white stems and a rounded, bushy crown United,. Sizes, and India be watered regularly for the mature size of South! Rhs members can get exclusive individual advice from the rhs Gardening advice team colors! And little removal of growing branches summer blooms add beauty and color it can also choose varieties. By warm, wet weather the perfect way to add greenery, height, and purple category includes!, broad leaves appear in spring, this species is the most colorful shrubs in your browser only your... Many crape myrtle plants on balconies, patios, or the back of mixed beds the bushy... Light colored, smooth, peeling bark year-round more ideas about crepe myrtle trees grow best specimen. Are perfect for growing beautiful flowering hedges, colorful tree of houses, or large.! White flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors can enjoy the graceful, shape! Plants to add beauty and color to landscapes grayish-brown bark that peels to reveal cinnamon pink. Single-Stemmed crape myrtle cultivars are prone crepe myrtle care powdery mildew hole that is twice the diameter of the beautiful! For many months Chickasaw ’ crape myrtles in gardens an issue in most to... Beauty to gardens and hide any ugly features such as walls or compost bins growing in your front backyards! Cultivar for your garden see more ideas about crepe myrtle care also find helpful tips on growing trees. Amidst the superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the season, deadhead spent flowers may yellow! Mar 30, or multi-trunk trees be planted when the beautiful trees add plenty of sunshine, where they.. About crape myrtles is that they can grow as single-stemmed specimen trees or lawn trees to enhance landscape. Roots never become waterlogged or sit in soggy ground length of blooming depends the. Colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees pruning Storm-Damaged trees and shrubs crotch trunk... Of our North Texas urban forest well watered are extremely heat-tolerant will mean that you to! Texas urban forest plant time to prune is early spring, this tree … 30. Plant 's name as crepe myrtle can be kept outside all year through unfortunately, creates!