how far apart do you plant crepe myrtles

How Far Apart Should I Plant My Tuscarora Crepe Myrtles?

• Planting Distances. When planting in a group or a row, allow 15 feet between specimens to accommodate the mature spread.
• Young Crape Myrtles. When planting young crape myrtles, like "Tuscarora," it is tempting to create a sense of fullness...
• Crape Myrtle Culture. Proper spacing of crape myrtles is the first step...

Full Answer

How do I plant a crape myrtle tree?

How Do I Plant a Crape Myrtle Tree

• Selecting the Right Tree. Consider the location of the tree before selecting a variety. ...
• Choosing a Location. Plant crape myrtles in full sun to get the best blooms. ...
• Planting a Crape Myrtle. Within any of its recommended USDA zones, late fall to early spring is the ideal time to plant a crape myrtle, while the plant is still ...
• Move A Crape Myrtle Tree. ...

Is a crape myrtle a deciduous or evergreen tree?

Crape myrtles are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, while wax myrtles include evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs and trees. Evergreen wax myrtle foliage does not change color in the fall and the leaves emit a fragrance when crushed. Crape myrtles offer brilliantly-colored foliage in fall until the first hard frost of the season.

How to plant a crape myrtle?

– Choose a suitable planting site for the needs of your tree – Prepare the soil – Dig a hole the depth of the pot – Put the tree in its hole and replace most of the soil – Water well, let the water drain and put back the rest of the soil – Put a mulch around your tree and water regularly Getting Your Crape Myrtle Trees Ready to Plant

Where to plant crepe myrtles?

Plant multiple crepe myrtles in rows.

• 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.
• 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. ...
• You can also plant double rows to create a privacy screen or wind cover. ...

What is the best month to plant crepe myrtles?

springLate fall to early spring is the best time to plant. First, learn some information about the lifespan and growth of your tree. Crepe myrtles range in size from dwarf selections (less than three feet tall) to some that can reach as tall as 30 feet.

How far should I plant a crape myrtle from fence?

three feetIf you are planting against a fence, plant at least three feet from the fence, not right up against it, or your plants will not be bushy right to the ground. For a more solid screen you can even plant a double row, staggering the plants in each row.

How fast do crepe myrtle trees grow?

Growth Rate This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

How wide do crepe myrtles get?

Crepe myrtles can reach widths of 15-25 feet. They're known for their relatively wide growth pattern, which includes a lot of outward branching. This creates a wide shape, but not necessarily a tall one. Crepe myrtles are considered fast growers, but not super fast.

Can you plant crepe myrtles close together?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc). To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6'-10' apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8'-12' apart.

How can I make my crepe myrtle grow faster?

To help your crape myrtle grow taller (and produce more flowers), use a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Do not use this too often or you will get more leaves than flowers. Water the tree once a week, soaking the entire root system thoroughly. They require at least 1 inch of water per week.

How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to bloom?

Your crepe myrtle may not be blooming if it is only a young tree – it can take 3-5 years for a tree to become established enough to flower. This may sound like a long time, but bear in mind that the trees take 5-10 years to mature, and 20-50 years to reach their ultimate size.

Do crape myrtles need a lot of water?

Crape Myrtles need at least one inch of water per week, with more during especially hot and dry weather. Still, these plants are fairly drought resistant once they've matured. Though Crape Myrtles like a good and deep soaking, issues like poor drainage and overwatering can lead to problems.

Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA, in any soil type. The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it's fine.

What can you plant under a crape myrtle?

Here are the plants that should grow well beneath your crepe myrtle trees.Columbine. Columbine is a unique flower as it appears to have a bloom within a bloom. ... Lily of the Valley. ... Verbena. ... Hostas. ... Rose of Sharon. ... Hibiscus. ... Daffodil. ... Chrysanthemums.More items...

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.

Which crape myrtle is the best?

Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.

How far do crepe myrtle roots spread?

Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. In fact, the entire crepe myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide.

Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA, in any soil type. The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it's fine.

Are crepe myrtle poisonous to dogs?

Crape Myrtle is not poisonous to dogs, so you can include this perennial shrub in your landscape if you have furry friends. Some varieties have berries and seed pods that may fall from the plant, but there is no reason to be concerned if your dog eats any part of the plant.

What can I plant with crepe myrtle?

Compliment Your Crepe MyrtlesOUR FAVORITE SUMMER PERENNIALS.Perennial Hibiscus. Perennial Hibiscus plants provide dramatic, tropical blooms all summer long. ... Gallardia. Gaillardia Moxie. ... Agastache. ... Lantana. ... Coreopsis. ... Coneflowers. ... Daylilies.

What is the best way to grow crape myrtles?

Add some organic material to the soil as you dig. Almost any kind of organic material is good, among the best are well-rotted animal manure; garden compost; any ‘top-soil’ from a garden center; or peat-moss. A bucket per tree is about right, but less is OK too, Crape Myrtles are tough plants.

How to move a plant around?

Move your plant around by picking up the pot – do not lift it by the trunk or stem.

How to keep a tree from drying out?

The evening before you are going to plant, give the pot a good soaking with water. If the root ball is dry when you plant, it may stay that way and cause your tree to suffer from dryness even if the surrounding soil is damp.

How to plant a tree with no leaves?

If your tree is growing, with green leaves, then leave it in the pot, take a sharp knife and cut around the bottom of the pot and remove the base.

How to keep water from running away from a tree?

Some gardeners like to make a low wall of soil around the tree, at a spot about twice the diameter of the pot, to retain water. This is a fine thing to do, but not absolutely necessary.

Do crape myrtle trees need sun?

Crape Myrtle Trees need plenty of sun, so choose a bright sunny spot for your planting. They are idea for those hot, dry places where other plants do not thrive, so take advantage of that and use them in places that can be hard to fill.

Do you need to stake a crape myrtle tree?

Normally staking is not necessary. Modern arborists prefer to let the wind strengthen the tree, and stakes often cause breakage of the upper part of your tree. However, if you want to train your crape myrtle tree into a single stem, then you will need to use a strong stake to support that stem while it is young, and to keep it straight and upright, but after that it should be removed once a small upper crown has developed. The stems of crape myrtle thicken quickly, so watch that the ties do not become too tight.

How big do mini crape myrtles get?

Miniature Crape Myrtles mature from 8"-5', depending on the exact variety of course.

How far away can miniatures be planted?

Miniatures can be planted 1'-2' away from a structure (house, etc).

How far apart should I plant crape myrtle trees?

Some people say the proper spacing is 15 feet; others have told me to space them 8 to 10 feet apart.

What should be the proper planting interval for a crape myrtle?

For a semi-dwarf crape myrtle, such as Acoma, what should be the proper planting interval? ANSWER: Spacing plants properly in the landscape is an important part of planting properly, whether planting bedding plants, shrubs or trees. There is no absolute "proper planting interval" for these trees. Spacing is based on the mature size ...

How big do acoma crape myrtles get?

Acoma crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) grow to be about 10 feet tall and wide. Knowing they will be about 10 feet wide at maturity, you can determine how far apart to plant them in your situation to achieve the look you want.

Is there a proper spacing for crape myrtles?

There is no absolute "proper planting interval" for these trees. Spacing is based on the mature size of the plants (in this case, Acoma crape myrtles) and the desired look of the planting.

How much sunlight do crepe myrtles need?

Crepe myrtles need lots of light to flourish. If possible, choose a location that receives a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. An open stretch near the center of your yard or garden is usually the best place to situate a young crepe myrtle.

How to keep crepe myrtle thriving?

Water occasionally during periods of drought to keep your crepe myrtle thriving.

What is a crepe myrtle tree?

Crepe myrtles are summer flowering trees admired for their vibrant pink, red, purple, and white blossoms. Their natural beauty, resilience, and minimal need for tending make them a welcome addition to any yard or garden. Since the trees thrive in warm, humid conditions, they’ll do best in a well-drained patch of soil somewhere they can receive plenty of direct sunlight. 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.

What are the dangers of crepe myrtles?

6. Inspect your crepe myrtle regularly for signs of disease. Powdery mildew, black mold, and leaf spot are a few of the threats that crepe myrtles face once they begin flowering. In most cases, the effects these cause are harmless, and will clear up on their own in time.

How to make a garden bed more hospitable?

Amend dry soil with organic material to make it more hospitable. If the soil you’re growing on is particularly dense or sandy, it may be helpful to mix in a little peat moss or well-rotted manure. These additives help the soil retain key moisture and nutrients. You can also use garden compost or a few handfuls of native plant food, as long as it’s evenly distributed throughout the entire plant bed.

Can crepe myrtles be grown from saplings?

Because of their intensive germination requirements, crepe myrtles headed for home gardens are almost always grown from saplings.

Can you use compost for crepe myrtle?

You can also use garden compost or a few handfuls of native plant food, as long as it’s evenly distributed throughout the entire plant bed. Crepe myrtle has no problem getting by on basic nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, which are found in most commercial fertilizer mixes.

How tall is a Tuscarora crape myrtle?

"Tuscarora" is a relatively large crape myrtle variety, reaching about 15 feet tall and wide at maturity, when the plant is about 12 years old. When planting in a group or a row, allow 15 feet between specimens to accommodate the mature spread. This planting distance also allows each "Tuscarora" plenty of root room. Major roots grow outward in all directions from the trunk at least as far as the drip line, the imaginary line at ground level that corresponds to the circumference of its crown. The plants also should be at least 7.5 feet from nearby structures.

Can crape myrtles be planted close together?

When planting young crape myrtles, like "Tuscarora," it is tempting to create a sense of fullness by positioning them too close together. Full grown specimens are hard to move, so it is best to avoid the temptation.

How tall does a Crape Myrtle grow?

Considering crape myrtle’s growth rate can help to decide on the ideal cultivar for your backyard. For example, say you require a small to medium-sized flowering shrub for your garden. It would be best to choose a Lagerstroemia indica cultivar with a mature height of 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m). Any larger crape myrtle plant will mean that you have to prune the plant regularly to control its height.

What type of soil do crape myrtles like?

Crape myrtles thrive in most types of soil as long as the ground drains well. You can plant these shrubs and trees in loamy, sandy, or clay soil. Some organic matter worked into the ground helps to retain moisture and provide nutrients for healthy growth.

How Much Sunshine Do Crape Myrtles Need?

Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. The length of blooming depends on the amount of sun the crape myrtles receive. Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers.

What color do crape myrtles turn?

New leaf growth in spring turns the bushy plants a rich red color. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop.

What is a crape myrtle?

Crape myrtles are large shrubs or small trees with multiple stems and a rounded, bushy crown. Large flower clusters that bloom during summer are the plant’s most outstanding feature. Crape myrtles have smooth peeling bark in a range of colors including, gray, cinnamon, light tan, and soft pink.

What is the best crape myrtle shrub for borders?

Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’).

How many species of crape myrtle are there?

Crape myrtle is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees in the genus Lagerstroemia. There are around 50 species of crape myrtle, and they are famous for their brightly-colored clusters of flowers.

What Are Crepe Myrtles Grown For?

Before we talk about how to grow your own crepe myrtle trees, you’ll have to decide what purpose they’ll serve first.

Choosing the Crepe Myrtle Variety to Grow

Whatever your reasons for planting crepe myrtles, there will be the right variety to match your needs.

Where To Plant Crepe Myrtles

These beautiful trees have a variety of landscape uses, the most common being planting them together to make a long and fleeting screen or hedge.

How To Plant Crepe Myrtle Seeds

Once the flowering stops, crepe myrtles produce berries that eventually turn to seed pods.

How To Grow Crepe Myrtle From Roots?

Aside from growing from seeds, you can also plant crepe myrtle trees from roots.

How To Care For Crepe Myrtle

Of course, planting the seeds or the saplings is only half the battle.

Conclusion

Crepe myrtles are loved by many home gardeners, and it is no secret why.

When is the best time to plant crepe myrtles?

The fall planting season quickly approaches – the best time for planting most trees and shrubs. It's a good bet many for you will be shopping for crepe myrtles. Before you do, I'm going to say something so shocking it verges on heresy. There are some places you shouldn't plant a crepe myrtle.

How long do crepe myrtles bloom?

The arching canopy of a crepe myrtle looks perfect for shading a white concrete pool deck. However, some selections such as ‘Natchez' can bloom for 100 days a year. Every day that new flowers open, old flowers drop into the pool. It will also drop leaves for at least 30 days in late summer and fall. This means that unless you're a complete slob, you'll be tethered to a pool skimmer for almost a third of a year.