Best Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time When To Prune Crepe Myrtle

Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.

1. What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
2. Is it too early to cut back crepe myrtle?
3. What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
4. Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?
5. How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?
6. How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?
7. How do you prune a crepe myrtle for a second bloom?
8. Can you trim a crepe myrtle in the spring?
9. What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?
10. Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?
11. Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?
12. Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
13. How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?
14. What kind of fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?
15. When should hydrangeas be cut back?
16. What diseases do crepe myrtles get?
17. How long do crepe myrtles bloom?
18. Do crepe myrtles have invasive roots?
19. How tall do crepe myrtles get?

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

When is the best time to trim or cut back crepe myrtles? Early spring before new growth is the best time to prune crape myrtles. Whenever you prune, you cause the tree to generate new growth. New growth that starts now will not have time to harden off before frost.

Is it too early to cut back crepe myrtle?

While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them. ... Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?

This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life. Often gardeners think they are supposed to prune their crape myrtles that way, and nothing could be farther from the truth.

How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?

As they grow taller, gradually remove all side branches up to a height of four to five feet. This exposes the smooth, handsome bark. Early each spring, remove weak, spindly growth and all the branches that are growing in toward the center of the plant. Prune large branches back to a crotch.

How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?

Cut off suckers from the bottom, rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inward. Gradually cut off all side branches from the main base as the tree gets taller. Never leave lone or clustered stubs. Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they get too thick (thickness of a pencil).

How do you prune a crepe myrtle for a second bloom?

Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time for Second Bloom

Like many plants, a crepe myrtle tree can be encouraged to put forth a second round of blossoms through a practice called deadheading. When to prune the crepe myrtle tree in this case is shortly after the tree's first round of blossoms have faded. Prune the blossoms off.

Can you trim a crepe myrtle in the spring?

Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Although some gardeners prune their crape myrtles in the fall, I do not recommend doing this. ... Good pruning while crape myrtles are young will mean less maintenance when the trees are older.

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

What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. ... The best way to identify a specific variety or species of crepe myrtle is to note all its characteristics, including mature size, flower color, fall color, growth habit (tree or shrub) and bark color.

Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?

Q: Do you have to deadhead crape myrtle trees to get more flowers? A: No, you do not have to deadhead the Southern lilac (crepe or crape myrtle, depending on what source you consult), but it does help to stimulate more flowers when you do — if you can reach them.

Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?

If there are no flowers on crepe myrtle, it could be that the tree was pruned late in the season, causing the new wood to be mistakenly removed, which causes the buds for the flowers to never really develop. Never prune a crepe myrtle before it blooms. ... Crepe myrtle bloom time is just after the other flowering trees.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

One would be to do as you ask, and start over by cutting the plant to the ground. This will take time to restructure the tree. If you do this, choose three to five sprouts that appear, and prune out everything else. ... Pruning of crape myrtles should be done in late February to early March.

How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?

Reviving Crepe Myrtle After Neglect

1. Since it is summer now you want it to push some new growth so you can see the tree's strengths. ...
2. Use a normal tree and shrub fertilizer and apply it a foot or two away from the trunk and close to its source or sources of water.

What kind of fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?

To maximize spring growth and summer bloom, gardeners should fertilize their crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Fertilizers like 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles but you shouldn't go over board.

When should hydrangeas be cut back?

In late winter or early spring, these shrubs can be cut all the way back to the ground. Smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger blooms if pruned hard like this each year, but many gardeners opt for smaller blooms on sturdier stems.

What diseases do crepe myrtles get?

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are essentially trouble-free small trees. The most common problems include powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles, and sooty mold.

How long do crepe myrtles bloom?

Crape myrtles are of interest for many reasons. They are highly ornamental and are available in a variety of colors including white, pink, purple and dark red. They bloom in mid-late summer and the flowers can last as long as 100 days. There is a crape myrtle for every garden!

Do crepe myrtles have invasive roots?

Crepe Myrtle Root System: Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. ... You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

How tall do crepe myrtles get?

The common crapemyrtle grows to a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity.