What is the best month to plant crepe myrtles?
The best time to plant Crape Myrtles is late fall or early spring. Planting in the fall allows the roots to establish themselves before winter dormancy, while early spring planting takes advantage of the upcoming growing season. While crepe myrtles are typically outdoor plants due to their size and sunlight requirements, you can start them indoors from seeds or cuttings. They should be moved outdoors as they grow larger and if you’re looking for them to thrive.Find a Sunny Location First, you need to decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation for the best blooms. Six hours of sun a day is the minimum requirement. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage.First of all, pruning crepe myrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow! If you need to prune your crepe myrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the crepe myrtle is the correct method.In addition, crepe Myrtles have shallow, non-invasive roots, making them safe to plant near your house. These trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 30 feet tall, so give them enough space.
Where should you not plant a crape myrtle?
Don’t plant Crape Myrtles in shade. Crape Myrtles perform their best in 6+ hours of blistering full sun per day. Even light shade at various times during the day will greatly reduce flowering, cause the tree to appear thin, and force it to reach for the sun, creating a leggy look. Crape myrtles planted in winter, spring, and fall should manage well with just one deep watering per week, but if you choose to plant in summer, you may need to add an extra weekly watering if there are heatwave or drought conditions.Fertilize in Spring 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. Remember, Crape Myrtles only bloom on new growth.Most local nurseries will label their plants with this information, which is just as important as flower color and bark appearance. Crape myrtle is a low-maintenance plant needing little or no pruning if planted in full sun away from walkways and roads.Select a site where your crape myrtle will have several feet of spacing all around it. Don’t plant next to walls, fences, large shrubs, etc.The Time To Plant Although you can plant them at almost any time, the ideal time to plant a new crape myrtle is in early spring. You should ensure the last freeze has passed before planting and provide ample time for your new tree to mature before winter.
How fast do crape myrtle trees grow?
Crepe myrtle trees grow quickly (up to 5 feet per year) and are typically hardy to drought and frost, posing few problems to those who have them. They can be enjoyed as shrubs or small trees in gardens where space is limited, but also make for eye-catching centerpieces once they reach their full height. Crepe myrtle bushes tend to grow shorter with a shrubby form. They often have several stems growing from the base. These are great as ornamental shrubs, border plants, or in group plantings. Crepe myrtle trees, on the other hand, grow upright.While pruning a tree is always a good idea for long-term health, crepe murder happens when crepe myrtle trees are overpruned. Overpruning is described as cutting back of main branches or “topping”. Since crepe myrtle trees grow naturally into a pretty form, they don’t need to be trimmed too much.Crepe myrtles are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter. If you are wanting your tree for shade or privacy, make sure that you know your tree is without leaves for part of the year.Invasive Roots Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks.The crepe myrtle bush has smaller leaves and a smaller crown spread but does have a more diverse flower color range than the crepe myrtle tree. In addition to these differences, the crepe myrtle bush is much hardier compared to the crepe myrtle tree.
What is the lifespan of a crape 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. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand extreme heat. The bloom times of crape myrtles vary, depending on a number of factors. Some crape myrtles come into bloom with large clusters of flowers appearing on the tips of new branches in May, while other varieties wait until July or later. Blooms continue into fall.In The Shade Crepe myrtles like full sun. While they will tolerate a few hours of shade per day, they need at least six hours of sunlight and are very heat tolerant, perfect for the hot Southern climate. Without the sun they need, they may not have many or any blooms.From regular suckers that need to be trimmed regularly to a vigorous root system that makes it nearly impossible to get rid of, there are many hidden downsides of growing a crepe myrtle tree. As a nonnative, crepe myrtles also aren’t the best choice for gardeners who want to attract birds and pollinators to their yard.Crape myrtles are very hardy, so they are very forgiving during periods of neglect or over pruning, but imagine the display of flowers your plant will give you with the proper care! Newer branches won’t be able to hold the weight of the blooms due to growing too long and weak especially when wet.
What are the disadvantages of crape myrtles?
Invasive Roots Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks. Name: crepe (or crape) myrtle (various Lagerstroemia species, crosses and hybrids). Plant type: small to medium-sized deciduous tree, often fast growing.Damage – The crapemyrtle aphid is the only significant insect pest of crepe myrtles in the Southeast. Because it feeds on the lower surface of crepe myrtle foliage, it is inconspicuous except for the copious amounts of honeydew that it excretes.Your crepe myrtle may not be blooming if it is only a young tree – it can take 3-5 years for a tree to become established enough to flower.