How to prune crepe myrtles correctly?
Here are a few tips on pruning your crepe myrtle:
- Cut the “suckers” — sprouts that typically grow from the base or bottom of the tree.
- If trunks are overgrown near the bottom, keep no more than five and remove the others.
- Remove any dead or weak branches.
- Cut branches growing too low, crossing, rubbing, growing inward or at awkward angles inconsistent with the rest of the tree.
How to grow crape myrtles from cuttings?
Propagating Crepe Myrtle by Roots
- Another way to propagate Crape Myrtle is through root cuttings.
- Early spring is the greatest time to obtain root cuttings, which can subsequently be propagated in one of two ways: in containers or directly in the ground.
- Plant root cuttings in a pot with potting mix once they’ve been taken.
How do you prune a crape myrtle?
This balance can be found by following a few simple (yet crucial) steps:
- Start pruning early on in the plant’s life
- Commit to a shape that suits your landscape
- Always leave the strongest branches intact
- Remove old or damaged limbs as soon as possible
- Avoid over-pruning the topmost branches
- Invest (and learn to use) the right tools for the job
How to prune young crepe myrtle?
- Provide enough space for the branches. Remove those that are either too close with, cross, or rub each other
- Don’t prune a crepe myrtle’s top so it blooms. Doing so may result in larger flowers. ...
- Never extremely top a crepe myrtle. If topping is done extremely, it may result in weak branches growth which tends to bend or worse, break
How long does it take for a crepe myrtle to grow?
Crape myrtles grow quickly. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, “this shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24 inches per year.” Crape myrtles generally grow between 15-25 feet tall, so most trees take five to 10 years to mature.
Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?
You can grow a crepe myrtle in two ways: bush and tree. The primary difference lies in their dimension. The bush remains below 11 feet in height, whereas the tree can reach 20 to 30 feet at maturity. Another important aspect is the number of stems or trunks.
What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?
Crepe myrtles have a lifespan of around 25 years. However, some crepe myrtles have been known to live for 100 years or more! This tree does best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Where is the best place to plant a crepe myrtle?
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. But they do best in Full, Hot Sun.
How far should crepe myrtles be from house plants?
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.
Can you keep a crepe myrtle tree small?
The best way to keep a crepe myrtle small is to prune the plant regularly. Pruning can be carried out during any time of year, but it is best to prune in the spring if you don't want to delay flowering. Be sure to cut off any branches that are growing diagonally or toward the ground.
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won't grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you'll encourage way more blooms to appear.
Should you cut crepe myrtles back every year?
Growing Conditions Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, which ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.
Are crepe myrtles a messy tree?
But crepe myrtles are messy trees. What is up must come down, and those blooms will end up all over your driveway and whatever is parked on it for many weeks. Forget keeping it clean.
What is the best month to plant a crape myrtle?
The best time to plant crape myrtle is June to late September while soils are warm. Watering during summer hot and dry spells is also beneficial to flowering, but overall crape myrtle is very drought tolerant once established in the landscape.
Do crepe 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.
What month do you plant crepe myrtles?
Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.
Can a crepe myrtle bush become a tree?
Whether you call them crepe myrtles or crape myrtles, these summer blooming plants are extremely adaptable and fast growing and are ideal for shaping into single- or multi-trunked trees. Pruning crapemyrtles into tree-forms accentuates plant architecture and highlights the showy, dappled bark.
Are there different types of crepe myrtles?
Crepe‑myr...Pride of IndiaLagerstroe... subcostataLagerstroe... floribundaLagerstroe... loudoniiLagerstroe... langkawie...Crepe myrtle/Lower classifications
What is the difference between crepe myrtle and crape myrtle?
Commonly called the “lilac of the South,” the spelling of this tree is a litmus test of geographic origins. Crepe myrtle is the most commonly accepted “southern” spelling; north of some unspecified crepe-myrtle line, it becomes crape myrtle.
Can you grow crepe myrtle as a shrub?
If you're searching for a hardy, low-maintenance flowering shrub that blooms nonstop for approximately 120 days each year, then a crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica, USDA zones 7 through 9) may be the plant for you.
How Big Do Crape Myrtle Get?
Crape myrtle trees grow between 15 and 25 ft. (4.5 – 7.5 m) tall with spreading, a vase-shaped, flat-topped crown measuring 6 to 15 ft. (1.8 – 4.5 m) broad. Semi-dwarf crape myrtle bushes grow between 4 and 10 ft. (1.2 – 3 m) tall. And dwarf or miniature crape myrtle shrubs don’t grow taller than 4 ft. (1.2 m). Some of the smallest crape myrtles are only around 2 ft. (60 cm) tall.
What is the color of the panicles on a crape myrtle tree?
The masses of deep pink flower clusters on the ‘Tuscarora’ crape myrtle cover the tree. The flower panicles are made up of crepe-papery flowers that hold their color for all summer and fall.
How long does it take for a crape myrtle to grow?
This crape myrtle species is a slow-growing plant that takes about seven years to reach its mature height of 2 ft. (0.6 m). ‘Chickasaw’ crape myrtles have leathery green leaves and pinkish-lavender flowers that bloom from summer until frost.
What zone do crape myrtles grow in?
Most species of crape myrtle trees thrive in USDA zones 7 through 10. This article is a complete guide to magnificent examples of crape myrtle trees, dwarf bushes, and shrubs.
How tall do crape myrtle bushes grow?
Crape myrtle bushes are small plants, ideal for growing as foundation plantings or in containers. Usually, crape myrtle bushes only grow a few feet high. For example, the Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’ is a weeping crape myrtle with light pink flowers and grows no taller than 18” (45 cm) high.
What are the flowers called that are made of paper?
But it’s their spectacular clusters of flowers that are the main attractions. The beautiful flower spikes—called panicles—are made up of wrinkled petals with a texture like crepe paper. Crape myrtles produce stunning pastel-colored flowers in spring, summer, and fall.
Why are crape myrtles called lilacs?
Fact about crape myrtle flowers: Because the shape of the showy flower clusters resembles lilac bush flowers , crape myrtles are sometimes called “Lilac of the South.”
Crepe Myrtle Care
This species of Lagerstroemia is generally a lower maintenance selection. Though low maintenance, there are some things you can do to help get the best blooms from your crepe myrtle and ensure that your tree thrives. As always, it all starts with planning and selecting the right location.
Types of Lagerstroemia Indica
Lagerstroemia indica is just one plant of a genus containing 50 or so species. Straight species of L. indica are not sold in the nursery trade so you will always be buying a cultivar or hybrid, but unfortunately, they are not often marked well and the tag will just say "Crepe Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica.
Pruning
Pruning your crepe myrtle is a chore that needs to be done for a few reasons. Pruning can aid in bloom production and help beautify the plant by exposing the exfoliating bark, increasing seasonal interest, and establishing the best size and form by removing suckers and errant branches.
Common Pest and Plant Diseases
Luckily crepe myrtles don't deal with too many pest issues, but they are susceptible to powdery mildew, sooty mold, and other fungal infections. The best way to deal with these issues is, of course, prevention.
