Guide to Crepe Myrtle Tree Care

Sunlight and well-draining soil afford a wealth of summer blooms and help keep pests away. Newly planted crepe myrtles should be well-watered until roots are established and are then mostly drought tolerant. Fertilizer is usually not necessary, unless blooms appear limited.

How do you take care of a crape myrtle tree?
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?
Do crepe myrtles like sun or shade?
What kills crepe myrtle?
How late can you prune crepe myrtles?
Should I trim my crape myrtle?
Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?
How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?
Is Miracle Grow good for crepe myrtles?
How do you prepare a crepe myrtle for winter?

How do you take care of a crape myrtle tree?

How to Care for Crape Myrtle

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

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.

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

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. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming.

What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?

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.

Do crepe myrtles like sun or shade?

Planting Crape Myrtle

All crape myrtles are sun lovers, generally cold hardy in Zones 7-10, although there are some that will work in Zone 6 as well. They are extremely heat-tolerant and quite drought-tolerant once established.

What kills crepe myrtle?

Triclopyr. Triclopyr-based herbicides cause supressed or abnormal growth that disrupts and eventually kills the crape myrtle. The herbicide may be applied to the foliage, the roots, or both. As with other broadleaf herbicides, crape myrtle trees absorb the poison and circulate it, causing the tree to die.

How late can you prune crepe myrtles?

It's not too late to prune your crape myrtles now. While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them.

Should I trim my crape myrtle?

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.

Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?

Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth that is produced can be damaged by cold weather.

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).

Is Miracle Grow good for crepe myrtles?

The easiest to use and most well known fertilizer is Miracle Gro. However, if you have many Crape Myrtles you wish to fertilize, using Miracle Gro can become expensive. ... When choosing a fertilizer for your Crape Myrtles, keep in mind that they are heavy feeders and are more prosperous when fed often.

How do you prepare a crepe myrtle for winter?

It is advisable to wrap young (1 year or less) and small Crepe Myrtle trees. Wrap burlap around the branches and then add an insulating filler such as leaves or straw to provide additional protection. Use bush jackets for dwarf plants. Bush jackets are reusable insulating covers that cover the plant.