Sweet Myrtle Care - How To Grow Sweet Myrtle In Your Garden

Sweet Myrtle Care Fertilize sweet myrtle in early spring once annually for best results. During summer, water the plant deeply once per week. In northern climates, bring plants indoors to overwinter. Prune the plant after blooming.

How do you look after a myrtle plant?

Common myrtle prefer locations with high exposure to sunlight. It likes rich and well drained soil, that is where it flowers best. Adding soil conditioner when planting enhances settling in and root development. Water well during the first 2 years after planting.

Where should I plant Myrtle?

For the best results, plant myrtle outdoors in late spring in a well-drained, sheltered position. This gives it the best chance of establishing lots of root before winter weather sets in. You can also grow myrtle in a container in soil-based compost.

How do I grow Myrtle greenery?

Spring and early fall are considered the best times to plant myrtle. It prospers in dappled sunlight but will also grow in full sun and even in dense shade. Use it instead of mulch under trees and shrubs to control weeds, or plant it in difficult-to-mow areas.

How quickly does myrtle grow?

The common crape myrtle can reach a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity. With ideal planting conditions this shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

How often should I water Myrtle?

Watering: Water your newly planted crape myrtle thoroughly after planting. Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil.

When should I trim 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.

Are myrtle trees Evergreen?

The Crape Myrtle, occasionally misspelled Crepe Myrtle, is a flowering deciduous or evergreen tree that gardeners frequently use to bring a flash of color and delight to the garden. ... These vibrant accents are small to medium sized flowering trees that display showy, vivacious colors in spring and summer.

What does Myrtle smell like?

Myrtle leaves and twigs produce pale yellow to orange essential oil. Myrtle essential oil has a clear, fresh scent that is slightly camphoraceous, i.e. just like Eucalyptus. Myrtle essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the flowers as well as the leaves and the twigs of myrtle.

Is Myrtle plant poisonous?

The running myrtle plant, more commonly known as periwinkle, is a member of the Apocynaceae family. ... This plant contains vinca alkaloids. Vinca alkaloids have chemotherapeutic effects in human medicine, but are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses when ingested.

Can you take cuttings from Myrtle?

Take cuttings in spring or summer where they meet the main branch, about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) in length with about 3-4 nodes per cutting. Remove all the leaves except the last two or three. Although rooting hormone is not usually required, giving them a boost does make it easier to propagate crepe myrtle cuttings.

How many types of Myrtle are there?

Although there are around 50 species in the group, only a very few are grown in gardens or have been used to develop the beautiful modern forms we grow today. Wild Crape Myrtles usually grow in warm or tropical regions as shrubs or trees.

Can you prune Myrtle?

Should I prune to get more compact bushes? Myrtles are lovely, aromatic-leaved, evergreen plants. ... The good news is that they take well to hard pruning, and you can carry out a regular spring trim to keep them more compact. They also make unusual but lovely topiary, so consider pruning them into cones, balls or boxes.

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 plant crepe myrtles close to the house?

Often crape myrtle grows as a multistemmed small tree, with foliage limited to the upper half of the plant. ... As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size.

What is the fastest growing crape myrtle?

Red Rocket CrapemyrtleLagerstroemia indica 'Whi

The petals are wrinkled like crepe paper, adding to its appeal. The red rocket crapemyrtle also adds ornamental value to landscaping in all seasons, and it is considered one of the fastest-growing crapemyrtles — shooting up as much as 5' per year.

Can you overwater a crape myrtle?

Watering Issues

You may water anytime the soil is not frozen in winter, if necessary. Overwatering crape myrtles in spring and summer can diminish flowering, since overly moist soil promotes leafy growth, not flower production.

What does overwatering look like?

The most obvious sign of overwatering is wilting. As stated above, leaves will turn yellow and wilted – not crisp and green. Wilting can also occur throughout the plant, including the stem, buds and flowers. You will also notice the plant growing especially slow.

Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles bloom with a dose of Epsom Salts. Two: In order for your Crape Myrtle to bloom you may want to try this cocktail (for the Crape Myrtles, not you) Mixone tablespoon of Epsom Salts into one gallon of water and pour around the roots of the plant. Repeat for the others, using one gallon per plant.

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).

Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. ... The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.

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.