Crepe Myrtle Trees Tips For Crepe Myrtle Care

How to Care for Crape Myrtle

1. Find Full Sunlight. Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. ...
2. Use Suitable Soil. ...
3. Fertilize Lightly. ...
4. Treat Fungus Before It Starts. ...
5. Prune Sparingly in Winter or Early Spring. ...
6. Expose the Trunk for More Beauty. ...
7. Deadhead for Even More Flowers.

1. Should crepe myrtle trees be cut back?
2. When should you cut back crepe myrtle trees?
3. What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
4. How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom better?
5. How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?
6. Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
7. How do you prune a crepe myrtle that is too tall?
8. What diseases do crepe myrtles get?
9. What kind of fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?
10. Can you kill a crepe myrtle?
11. Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?
12. Can you cut crepe myrtles below the knot?
13. Do crepe myrtles bloom twice a year?
14. How long do crepe myrtles live?
15. How often should you fertilize crepe myrtles?
16. What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?
17. Do crepe myrtles have invasive roots?
18. What colors are crape myrtle?
19. Will vinegar kill crepe myrtle?
20. How do I bring my crepe myrtle back to life?
21. Which crape myrtle grows the fastest?

Should crepe myrtle trees be cut back?

Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. ... Fall pruning not only creates an unattractive look for winter but also removes the current year's growth as a buffer against any potential winter damage.

When should you cut back 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.

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.

How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom better?

Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer. It is not too late to fertilize this year if you haven't yet. – Shade.

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).

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 prune a crepe myrtle that is too tall?

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.

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.

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.

Can you kill a crepe myrtle?

Glyphosate kills virtually any plant it touches. Herbicides containing glyphosate may be painted on freshly cut stumps or sprayed onto the foliage to kill the crape myrtle. Trim the cut end of older stumps to expose the wood surface before applying glosphate. Spray the foliage and branches of intact crape myrtles.

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 you cut crepe myrtles below the knot?

Cutting crepe myrtle knots doesn't resolve the problem. If you cut below the knot, a new knot forms in its place. The tree never reverts to its naturally beautiful shape, but through proper pruning of a crepe myrtle tree, you may be able to make the knots less noticeable.

Do crepe myrtles bloom twice a year?

Crape myrtle flowers on new growth of the season, so you can prune plants anytime during the late winter or early spring before the new growth emerges without loss of flower buds. ... On cultivars that bloom after mid-July, it is sometimes difficult to force a second bloom.

How long do crepe myrtles live?

Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that's the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.

How often should you fertilize crepe myrtles?

Begin fertilizing in Spring with the fertilizer of your choice (liquid, slow release or granules), when the first leaves start to appear. Established, well rooted, Crape Myrtles are heavy feeders. Lightly fertilize every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months. This will promote optimal new growth.

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.

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.

What colors are crape myrtle?

Go for Color: Crape Myrtles come in a wide range of colors, including white, lilac, and purple, many shades of pink and different shades of red. So in the garden they go well with other plants in similar colors.

Will vinegar kill crepe myrtle?

To remove suckers at the base of a trunk, use a hatchet to hook around the suckers and pull them off. ... Using Epsom salt & vinegar to help with trunk. ( I can't grind b/c of location.) The only way to kill a crepe myrtle is to have the stump removed.

How do I bring my crepe myrtle back to life?

Cut off the dead top and let the shoots grow. They'll grow faster than a congressman's nose. Select 4-5 well-spaced ones to become the new main trunks and cut off the rest. Your crepe myrtle will grow back free-of-charge and may even bloom this summer.

Which crape myrtle grows the fastest?

Basham's Party Pink is one of our favorite Crapes. It is the fastest growing crape myrtle available, growing 8' per year! It is a very full, upright tree that grows to 30'. It's flowers can best be described as a delicate pale pink.