PLANTING CRAPE MYRTLES

Crape myrtles are deciduous shrubs that are native to India, Korea, and China and they are best planted in hardiness zones 7 through 10.

There is one variety that is native to the United States, the state of Texas to be more precise and the name of the variety is malpighia glabra crape myrtle.

Miniature crape myrtles are best planted 18 inches apart and dwarf crape myrtles are best planted 4 to 6 feet apart.

Medium-sized crape myrtles are best planted 6 to 10 feet apart for a constant hedge-like look and larger or standard crape myrtles are best planted 20 to 30 feet apart for a more full and individual look.

When planting crape myrtles it is best to make the hole double the width of the root ball.

Using a hand trowel or garden knife break up the bottom of the root ball and place it in the hole.

Before filling in the hole it is recommended to mix in some compost to add nutrients and to help with water retention.

Mulch can be added for extra water retention as well as aesthetics.

FERTILIZING AND WATERING

Crape myrtles that are established need to be lightly fertilized with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or a homemade liquid fertilizer.

It is best to give them around one inch of water per week and they become drought tolerant when they are well established.

MULCHING

Mulching crape myrtles will help the soil retain water which will reduce the amount of time it takes to water them.

The thickness of the mulch is best around 2 inches deep which will also help to prevent weeds from growing around your crape myrtles.

It is best to add new mulch every year as the older mulch breaks down.

BLOOMS

Crape myrtles have large clusters of blooms that appear in May, July, or later depending on the variety.

Their blooms come in red, purple, pink, and white colors that can be as wide as three inches and last for 6 to 8 weeks depending on the variety.

After the blooms have wilted away you can cut the bloom off to encourage more blooms to reappear in 30 to 45 days.

This is called deadheading and with this method, the blooms are not allowed to go to seed therefore the shrub will rebloom.

If your crape myrtle is not blooming and it has no signs of pest damage, visible disease issues, was not pruned too late in the season, no wind or frost damage, or planted in an area that has too much shade.

PRUNING

Crape Myrtles are best pruned between the middle of February and the middle of March.

The shrub should be pruned once a year to remove any sucker growth that grows up from the base and to keep the shape.

Some gardeners remove the entire top of the shrub at the end of each season.

This doesn’t allow the shrub to take on its natural look and beauty as a full and healthy shrub.

PROPAGATING

If you want to grow your own crape myrtle from a seed you can start with a cardboard seed starter to start it in.

Using soil that is well mixed with compost in temperatures of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, they would germinate in 2 to 3 weeks.

PESTS

• Aphids
• Japanese beetles

DISEASES

• Powdery mildew
• sooty mold
• Cercospora leaf spot

VARIETIES

Crape myrtles are hardy shrubs that is popular in the south of the United States because they are drought and heat resistant.

Plant breeders over the years have made them more hardy and acceptable to gardeners in northern climates.

ARAPAHO CRAPE MYRTLE

Arapaho crape myrtle is a hybrid variety that can resist mildew.

• Shrub size – grows to about 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
• Sun requirements – full sun to partial shade with fewer blooms
• Drought tolerant – yes
• Blooming colors – red
• Foliage – green oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges
• Deer resistant – yes

MUSKOGEE CRAPE MYRTLE

• Shrub size – grows to about 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
• Sun requirements – full sun to partial shade with fewer blooms
• Drought tolerant – yes
• Blooming colors – purple
• Foliage – green oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges
• Deer resistant – yes

MISS SANDRA CRAPE MYRTLE

Miss Sandra crape myrtlees have be breadto have a high capability to resist powdery mildew, leaf spot, and bacterial spot.

• Shrub size – grows to about 19 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
• Sun requirements – full sun to partial shade with fewer blooms
• Drought tolerant – yes
• Blooming colors – bright purple
• Foliage – green oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges
• Deer resistant – yes

HOUSTON RED CRAPE MYRTLE

Houston red crape myrtles are a miniature hybrid shrub that grow as wide as they are tall.

• Shrub size – grows to about 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
• Sun requirements – full sun to partial shade with fewer blooms
• Drought tolerant – yes
• Blooming colors – red
• Foliage – green oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges
• Deer resistant – yes

The post Growing Crape Myrtle appeared first on Beginner Gardening Tips.