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. It’s highly important to purchase an adequate variety to avoid stressing and murdering a plant. The plants come in a wide array of sizes and shapes, from statuesque trees 30 or more feet tall,... Word of Warning. Here are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle back to an ugly 3- … For example, say you require a small to medium-sized flowering shrub for your garden. The spectacular crape myrtle floral displays add to the aesthetics of your landscaped garden. 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. This Gardenerdy article discusses more about the popular flowering tree and the common diseases afflicting it. 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. Small crape myrtle trees grow best as specimen trees or lawn trees to add vibrant colors to summer gardens. These trees usually produce multiple main stems. 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. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. Some older cultivars are prone to powdery mildew, especially in hot, humid weather. Avoid chopping the top of the plant (so-called ‘crape myrtle murder’). Create your own living, outdoor sanctuary with this lovely, colorful tree. However, some species also have white flowers and flower shades in gentle pastel colors. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You should also plant crape myrtle in a location where the plant’s sizeable crown has room to grow and spread. When in full bloom, crape myrtle flowers cover the tree in shades of pinks, purples, lilacs, reds, and white. First, remove suckers, low-growing stems, and any dead or week branches. It would be best to choose a Lagerstroemia indica cultivar with a mature height of 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m). Crape myrtle shrubs come in various sizes, from small shrubs under 3 ft. (1 m) tall to large bushes that max out at around 30 ft. (9 m). Prune crape myrtle trees in early spring to remove dead growth and thin weak stems. How to Care for a Crepe Myrtle Tree Drought Tolerance. 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. Water Requirements. They emerge amidst the superb purple-maroon foliage which does not fade in the southern heat. Explore. A layer of mulch around the crape myrtle root zone can help to prevent moisture loss. Plant crape myrtle in the fall or early spring. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’). Next year, your plant will need much less water. During long, hot summers, you should water the shrub whenever the ground dries completely. Crape myrtles have the potential to be wonderful small trees if they aren’t chopped to their knees annually. Next, thin the crown. Soak the rooting system with thorough watering which may take half an hour or even more. How to care. Cut just above the bud facing the direction you want the branches to grow. For tips on growing these trees and their care, read this article. Carpe myrtle flowers are made up of tiny petals that look like crepe-paper growing in large clusters. You can also choose tall varieties that grow over 30, or you can go for dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties. . You could also try introducing beneficial predatory insects to control pest infestations. Cut back the unnecessary stems and leave just a few main trunks. A close up picture of crape myrtle flowers. That’s where we come in. 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. Not only does it provide a good show year-round, but it requires very little care and leaves new gardeners begging for more! To plant crape myrtle, dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the pot and only as deep as the pot. This top-flowering and easy-to-grow tree or shrub is the queen of the South and great for summer color. Learn more about how to care for crepe myrtle and keep your plants blooming year after year. Crepe myrtle benefits from regular feeding of a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 or... Pests and Disease. Another feature of crape myrtle plants is their glossy dark green oval leaves. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees typically bloom from June. ‘Catawba’ crape myrtles grow between 10 and 15 ft. (3 – 4.5 m). Your email address will not be published. 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. Some of the popular hybrids are: ‘Tuskarora’, ‘Siren Red’, ‘Dynamite’. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees are generally easy-care landscaping plants. Any larger crape myrtle plant will mean that you have to prune the plant regularly to control its height. Large flower clusters that bloom during summer are the plant’s most outstanding feature. Regular Fertilization. However, it’s vital to ensure that the plant’s roots never become waterlogged or sit in soggy ground. If you’d like a smaller tree, don’t purchase a tall variety. It needs water, fertilizer, deadheading, and pruning. Article from southernliving.com. To encourage blooming multiple times in the season, deadhead spent flowers. Remove any excess stems and branches in the middle of the plant to allow better circulation and avoid pest infestation. Showy flower clusters called panicles grow between 6” and 18” (15 – 45 cm) long. The 1st year after the plantation is quite crucial and needs proper care. You can plant these shrubs and trees in loamy, sandy, or clay soil. ‘Acoma’ crape myrtles grow around 10 ft. (3 m) tall. As with all crape myrtle varieties, keep the plant in full sun to encourage blooming and healthy growth. Your Source For Gardening Tips and Tricks. 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. If you’d like to give crape myrtle a go, take a look at this useful care guide. New leaf growth in spring turns the bushy plants a rich red color. To begin, crepe myrtle needs consistent watering. Crape myrtles have smooth peeling bark in a range of colors including, gray, cinnamon, light tan, and soft pink. Plant crape myrtle shrubs and trees in a suitable location that has well-draining soil and where the plants get plenty of sunlight. The crinkled petals give the flowers a ruffled appearance. Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. Crape myrtles are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are extremely heat-tolerant. If the soil is too alkaline, the foliage may turn yellow. Here some popular ways to grow crape myrtles in gardens. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop. Crape myrtles growing in containers are suitable as patio, deck, yard, or balcony plants. Plenty of hydration during warm summer weather helps the young plant adjust to its new environment and results in healthy growth. The good news is that powdery mildew isn’t harmless to the shrubs. The Crepe Myrtle likes humid conditions. long (35 cm), packed with crinkly, cherry red flowers at its branch tips. During the first two months, water the plant thoroughly weekly if there is no rain. 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. Crape myrtle shrubs and trees are beautiful garden landscape plants with stunning colorful flowers that bloom all summer long. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to get rid of this disease without resorting to chemical sprays. The same goes for trunk. Crape myrtle flowers can be in shades of red, pink, purple and white colors. 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. Crape myrtles are generally resistant to most garden pests and bugs. Some organic matter worked into the ground helps to retain moisture and provide nutrients for healthy growth. Plant crape myrtle shrubs in the sunniest location in your front or backyard. You should also remove any suckers—shoots growing at the tree’s base—to develop a single-stemmed crape myrtle tree. The flowers last throughout the summer until the end of September. Crepe Myrtles provide something beautiful to look at in all seasons. 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). These cookies do not store any personal information. The large, broad leaves appear in spring as a dark red color before creating lush, dense green summer foliage. Some crape myrtle cultivars are prone to this fungal disease that is caused by warm, wet weather. Put the plant in the hole deep as the nursery container, but twice as wide. Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year when growth starts. Considering crape myrtle’s growth rate can help to decide on the ideal cultivar for your backyard. Crape Myrtle Care Four-Season Beauties. Crape myrtles are excellent shrubs for growing beautiful flowering hedges, colorful borders, or attractive container plants. Some self-appointed horticultural tastemakers are critical of those who prune crape myrtles, calling it... Not All Rosy. The South's love affair with crepe myrtles is undeniable. Some crape myrtle varieties have large, rounded crowns that provide shade in sunny gardens. However, there are many selection and hybrids that come in a wide range of flower colors, sizes, and hardiness. Miniature crape myrtle shrubs grow well in containers, planter boxes, or large pots. Crepe myrtle is a simple plant to care for. While they are fairly hardy, there are problems that can arise if you don’t have suitable information on crepe myrtle care. Do you want a single-stem trunk or multi-stem crape myrtle? Not only your crepe myrtle will thrive well in these conditions, but will also have more blooms. 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. Petite Orchid Lagerstroemia plants grow up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Crape myrtles are beautiful specimen trees to enhance garden landscape. Crape myrtle plants are famous for their masses of colorful flowers. Crape myrtles thrive in plenty of sunshine, where they get at least six hours of sunlight daily. Before planting in the ground, water the roots well. Water the plant thoroughly. Growing crape myrtle trees and shrubs in your garden is the perfect way to add beauty and color to landscapes. Crape myrtles grow in warmer climates in the southern United States, Australia, and India. For non-dwarf varieties, limit your pruning to thinning to open up the plant. Many crape myrtle cultivars bloom in various pink shades—from light cherry blossom pinks to dark, almost red-pink shades. In spring, this tree … Choose a single dominant stem and regularly prune away other stems at the base. One of the most debated issues with this beauty is deciding whether or not to prune it. 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. Chickasaw Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Chickasaw’) — This small bushy plant produces a plethora of lavender or pink flowers. Crape myrtles can benefit from balanced fertilizers for trees. The leafless branches allow you to see the attractive grayish-brown bark that peels to reveal cinnamon and pink colors. types of crape myrtle shrubs and trees (including pictures), Types of Viburnum: Shrubs, Trees and Hedges, Vitex Trees (Chaste Trees): Types, Flowers, Leaves, Care. Crape myrtle leaves and autumn foliage (right). Join the RHS now. Crape myrtles are commonly used in landscaping with various designing possibilities. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5). This crape myrtle will rebloom in late summer if the first flush of flowers are deadheaded. A suitable fertilizer for crape myrtles should have an NPK rating like 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. However, it’s good to remember that they can withstand some shade. Look for newer crape myrtle cultivars that are developed to be resistant to disease. Crape myrtle will thrive in almost any type of soil – sandy, clay or loamy. Crape myrtle trees and shrubs thrive in USDA zones 7 through 9. The beautiful trees add plenty of long-lasting colors and bloom longer than other landscape trees. Crape myrtle (or crape myrtle) are summer-flowering trees and shrubs of the Lagerstroemia genus. How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy. The best time to plant crape myrtle shrubs is between late fall and early spring. Jun 6, 2016 - Explore Christe Hampel's board "Crepe myrtle care" on Pinterest. It can also result in an unattractive winter form. Look for the mature size of the bush or tree to decide the cultivar you want. Only young crape myrtle shrubs require weekly watering during the first few months after planting until they become established. Tuscarora Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Tuscarora’) — This landscaping tree has beautiful coral-pink flowers that bloom in early summer. The long-blooming time of crape myrtle trees means you can enjoy their showy flowers for many months. Planting Ideas. 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. Discover many other beautiful types of crape myrtle shrubs and trees (including pictures). Sioux Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Sioux’) — ‘Sioux’ crape myrtles produce clusters of ruffled bright pink flowers all summer long. 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 … Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers. Crape myrtle shrubs are great as flowering hedges. The secret is to make sure the ground isn’t soggy. Sun the crape myrtle cultivars bloom in various pink shades—from light cherry blossom to. 30 ft. ( 1.5 m ) tall bushy shrubs produce flowers in purple, white, lavender, hardiness! Myrtle cultivar for your garden or sit in soggy ground gorgeous crepe myrtles is undeniable also... 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