A great tree for multi-season interest, Lagerstroemia fauriei adds a decorative flourish from summer to winter. The Japanese crepe myrtle, as it is also known, is a deciduous tree with gorgeous fall color. This crepe myrtle also develops beautiful summer blossoms and attractive peeling red and brown bark.

Its flowers, foliage and appealing bark contrasts make this crepe myrtle a stunning year-round tree to grow. Charming yet low maintenance, its smaller size means it is perfect for limited spaces, as well as Oriental themed plots. Here's how to get the best from this highly ornamental tree.

Quick Lagerstroemia Fauriei Facts:

• Botanical name: Lagerstroemia subcostata var. fauriei, Lagerstroemia fauriei
• Height: 20-30 feet (6-9m)
• Spread: 15-19 feet (4.5-5.7m)
• Sun exposure: Full sun, at least six hours a day
• Soil requirements: Tolerant of most well-draining soils
• Hardiness zones: USDA 6b-9b
• When to plant: Plant in springtime or fall

Japanese Crepe Myrtle Care

With its bright and showy blossoms, the Japanese crepe myrtle tree looks like a prima donna plant. Luckily, this crepe myrtle variety (also called Japanese crape myrtle, depending on where you live) requires little maintenance. However, if you plant and care for Lagerstroemia fauriei appropriately, it has a better chance of flourishing and flowering year after year.

Light Conditions

Japanese myrtle trees need a site with at least six hours of sunshine a day. If you plant these summer-flowering trees in the shade, you are not likely to see the abundant flowers that make it so special. 

Water and Fertilizer

Although Lagerstroemia fauriei trees are drought tolerant, they do best with regular irrigation. When irrigating trees, just take care not to overwater. These trees don't require fertilizer to thrive.

Temperature & Humidity

Lagerstroemia trees thrive in a wide range of hardiness zones, from 6 through 10. They do not do well in cold winter climates, but they’re tolerant plants and accept some humidity.

Soil & Compost

A Lagerstroemia fauriei will accept clay, sandy or loamy soil, as long as the drainage is excellent. However, they do best with rich soil that has a high organic component.

How to Plant a Lagerstroemia Fauriei

When it comes time to plant your new Japanese crepe myrtle, select an open and sunny site. Check your planting site has well-drained soil to best nurture these naturally drought-tolerant trees. Also, while these are good trees for small gardens, make sure you check the site is large enough for the mature size of your Lagerstroemia fauriei.

Pruning Japanese Crepe Myrtle

No pruning is required to get these trees to flower. You might wish to remove the lower branches in order to expose the lovely form and color of the trunk. You can also prune out any suckers at the base of the tree, and take off dead and damaged branches.

It is possible to create problems if you don't prune crepe myrtle correctly. This often happens when trying to reduce the size of the tree or keep it a particular height. It’s good to cut away dead stems, but other than that, don’t cut off the top of the tree to reduce its height. Instead, select a species that grows to the appropriate desired height for your space.

Propagating Lagerstroemia Fauriei

You can propagate crepe myrtle trees from seed, although it takes a while to develop decent-sized plants. Japanese crepe myrtle trees produce fruit that appear as green seed pods. These become dark and dry when they mature. Generally, seeds germinate well without any stratification pretreatment. It is also possible to propagate these crepe myrtle trees from cuttings.

Problems, Pests & Diseases

If you don’t like dealing with pests and diseases in your ornamental trees, Lagerstroemia fauriei is a good choice. There are few crepe myrtle problems to worry about, although aphids sometimes snack on new growth. This does not put the tree's life in danger, but it can cause an unattractive sooty mold to develop on the leaves. You should treat tree aphids with natural predators and horticultural sprays. Fortunately, unlike other crepe myrtles, these trees are very resistant to powdery mildew.

Best Lagerstroemia Fauriei Varieties

There are numerous pretty varieties of Japanese crepe myrtle. The cultivar 'Fantasy' grows to 50ft (15m) tall, and produces extremely showy white flowers. Consider 'Kiowa' if you have a very small garden. This bright white-flowering, multi-stemmed tree stops at around 24ft (7m) tall, and has a similar spread. 

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a useful flowering shrub or small tree for warm climates. Given proper care, these plants offer abundant and colorful summer blossoms with few pest or disease issues. Fertilizing crepe myrtle is an integral part of its care.

If you want to know how and when to fertilize this plant, read on for tips on feeding crepe myrtles.

Crepe Myrtle Fertilizer Needs

With very little maintenance, crepe myrtles will provide brilliant color for many years. You will need to start by siting them in sunny spots in well-cultivated soil and then fertilizing crepe myrtle shrubs appropriately.

Crepe myrtle fertilizer needs depend on a large part on the soil you plant them in. Consider getting a soil analysis before you start. Generally, feeding crepe myrtles will make your plants look better.

How to Fertilize Crepe Myrtle

You’ll want to start feeding with a general-purpose, well-balanced garden fertilizer. Use 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or 16-4-8 fertilizer. A granular product works well for crepe myrtle.

Take care not to overfertilize. Too much food for crepe myrtles makes them grow more foliage and fewer flowers. It’s better to use too little than too much.

When to Fertilizer Crepe Myrtle

When you are planting young shrubs or trees, place granular fertilizer along the perimeter of the planting hole.

Assuming the plants are transferred from one-gallon (4 L.) containers, use one teaspoon (5 mL.) of fertilizer per plant. Use proportionately less for smaller plants. Repeat this monthly from spring to late summer, watering in well or applying just after a rain.

For established plants, simply broadcast the granular fertilizer in spring before new growth begins. Some gardeners repeat this in autumn. Use one pound of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 sq. ft. (9.5 sq. m.). If you use 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 fertilizer, cut that amount in half. The square footage in the root area is determined by the branch spread of the shrubs.

Crepe myrtle trees (Lagerstroemia indica) makes many homeowners’ list of favorites in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. They offer showy flowers in summer, vivid fall color, and textural bark in winter along with attractive seed heads. Collecting crepe myrtle seeds is one way to grow new plants. If you are wondering how to harvest crepe myrtle seeds, this article will help. We’ll provide lots of tips for crepe myrtle seed harvesting.

Saving Crepe Myrtle Seeds

The attractive seed heads that weigh down your crepe myrtle branches in winter contain seeds that wild birds love to eat. So, taking a few to increase your crepe myrtle seed collection will still leave them plenty. When should you start crepe myrtle seed harvesting? You’ll want to start saving crepe myrtle seeds when the seed pods ripen. Crepe myrtle trees flower in late summer and produce green berries. As fall approaches, the berries develop into seed heads. Each seed head holds tiny brown seeds. Over time, the seed pods turn brown and dry. That’s the time to start your crepe myrtle seed collection.

How to Harvest Crepe Myrtle Seeds

The seeds in the seed pods are easy to collect. You should harvest the seeds when the pods are brown and dry but before they drop to the soil. It’s not difficult. Keep a large bowl beneath the branch where the seed pods are located. When you want to start saving crepe myrtle seeds, shake the dry pods gently to release the seeds. You can also start your crepe myrtle seed collection by wrapping fine netting around the pods. The netting can catch the seeds if the pods open at a moment you aren’t around. Another way to start collecting crepe myrtle seeds is to bring the pods inside. You can snip off some attractive crepe myrtle branches that have seed pods on them. Make those branches into a bouquet. Place them in a vase with water on a plate or tray. Seeds will land on the tray when they fall from the drying pods.

With long-lasting, beautiful blooms, easy-care crepe myrtle is a garden favorite. Sometimes spelled "crape" myrtle, it is an ideal landscape tree for the high desert and a lovely ornamental in any backyard. 

If your mature crepe myrtle needs to be transplanted, it’s critical to be on top of the procedure. When to transplant crepe myrtle? How to transplant crepe myrtle? Read on for all the information you need to make transplanting a crepe myrtle a snap.

Moving Crepe Myrtles

If you plant a tree, you hope to put in in a “forever” location, where it can live out its life comfortably and in harmony with its surroundings. But life happens all around us, and sometimes these plans don’t work out. If you planted your crepe myrtles in a spot you now regret, you aren’t the only one. 

Crepe myrtles flower best in sun. Perhaps you chose a sunny site but now neighboring trees are throwing shade on the area. Or maybe the crepe myrtle just needs more space. 

Crepe myrtle transplanting involves essentially three steps. These are: digging a hole in an appropriate new site, digging out the rootball, and transplanting a crepe myrtle in the new spot.

When to Transplant Crepe Myrtle

Before you get starting digging, you’ll want to figure out when to transplant crepe myrtle. The best possible time to start moving crepe myrtle is when the tree is dormant. 

That period runs from the time the tree loses its leaves to spring leaf break. Late winter is usually cited as the best time for crepe myrtle transplanting. You’ll need to wait until the soil is workable but act before the first leaves appear.

How to Transplant Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle transplanting starts with selecting a new location for the tree. Think about its requirements then find the spot that works best. You’ll need a sunny location for best flowering, plus some elbow room for the tree. 

Moving crepe myrtles requires a bit of digging. First, dig out a new planting hole. It has to be large enough to fit all of the tree’s current roots, but somewhat wider, to allow those roots to expand. 

Next, you need to dig out the tree. The bigger your tree, the more friends you should invite to help. Dig around the outside of the roots, taking a root ball that is some 2 to 3 feet (.6-.9 m.) in diameter. This will ensure that the plant moves to its new location with sufficient roots to survive. 

The next step in transplanting a crepe myrtle is to get the root ball out of the soil. With the help of your friends, lift the root ball onto a tarp. Then pull the tarp over to the new planting site and set the root ball in the hole.

During this stage of crepe myrtle transplanting, position the tree so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface. F

lood the root area with water. Keep watering regularly during the first few growing seasons at the new location.

Crepe myrtles are iconic plants of the South, popping up virtually everywhere in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. They’re sturdy and beautiful. They make excellent large landscape bushes or can be pruned into a tree form, adding even more versatility. Because of their flexible nature, crepe myrtle trees are bothered by very few problems or pests. Even so, there may come a day when you’re forced to do battle with pests on crepe myrtle, so let’s explore those right now!

Common Crepe Myrtle Pests

Although there are a number of occasional crepe myrtle insect pests, a few are overwhelmingly common. Knowing how to identify and treat these critters when they appear can help keep your plant healthy and happy for years to come. Here are the top contenders and their warning signs: Crepe myrtle aphids. Of all the possible insects to have on your plants, these are the easiest when it comes to crepe myrtle pest control. If you turn over your crepe myrtle leaves, you’ll see lots of small, soft-bodied yellow-green insects feeding – these are the crepe myrtle aphids. You might also notice that the leaves are sticky or covered in a black mildew; both are side effects of this creature. A daily blast with a garden hose on the underside of the leaves is an effective and environmentally friendly way to destroy whole aphid colonies. An imidacloprid drench can also help but should be reserved for very bad cases because bees and other pollinators can also be affected. Spider mites. The first thing you’ll probably notice about spider mites are the tiny, fine strands of webbing they leave behind. You won’t see these tiny sapsuckers without magnification, but it doesn’t matter if you can see them or not. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil for best results but wait until evening to apply either or use a shade to protect your plant from potential burns. Scale. Scale insects hardly look like insects at all and may instead appear to be cottony or waxy growths on your crepe myrtle. However, if you have a sharp blade, you can lift the insect’s camouflaged cover and find its soft body underneath. They’re closely related to aphids, but because of the protective barrier, they’ll need stronger stuff. Neem oil is particularly effective for most scale insects. Japanese beetle. These shiny green-black beetles are as unmistakable as they are frustrating to try to treat. Spraying with pesticides like carbaryl can knock them back, and drenching with imidacloprid can stop Japanese beetle feeding, but ultimately, both methods can destroy local pollinators in a big way. Japanese beetle traps placed 50 feet away from your bushes can help cut the population down and treating your yard with milky spore can help destroy grubs before they mature.

Crepe myrtles have earned a permanent spot in the hearts of southern U.S. gardeners for their easy-care abundance. If you want alternatives to crepe myrtles, though – something hardier, smaller, or just different – you’ll have a wide variety to choose from. Read on to find an ideal substitute for a crepe myrtle for your backyard or garden.

Crepe Myrtle Alternatives

Why would anyone look for alternatives to crepe myrtle? This mainstay tree of the mid-south offers generous blossoms in multiple shades, including red, pink, white, and purple. However, a new pest of crepe myrtle, crepe myrtle bark scale, is thinning foliage, reducing blossoms, and coating the tree with sticky honeydew and sooty mold. That’s one reason people are seeking a substitute for a crepe myrtle. Plants similar to crepe myrtle are also attractive to homeowners in climates too cool for this tree to thrive. Some people even look for crepe myrtle alternatives just to have a stand-out tree that isn’t in every backyard in town.

Plants Similar to Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle has many attractive qualities and winning ways. So, you’ll have to identify your favorites in order to discover what “plants similar to crepe myrtle” means to you. If it’s the gorgeous flowers that win your heart, take a look at the dogwoods, specifically flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). They are small trees with a big burst of flowers in spring. If you love what a good neighbor crepe myrtle is in the backyard, the sweet tea olive tree might be the crepe myrtle alternative you are looking for. It grows placidly in sun or shade; its roots leave cement and sewers alone and it is incredibly fragrant. It’s hardy to zone 7. If you want to duplicate the multiple-trunk effect of crepe myrtle but grow something else entirely, try a Chinese parasol tree (Firmiana simplex). Its multi-trunk shape is similar to the crepe myrtle, but it offers clean, straight, silver-green trunks and a canopy at the top. The leaves of which can get twice as long as your hand. Note: check with your local extension office prior to planting this one, as it is deemed invasive in some regions. Or go for another tree that is generous with its blossoms. The chaste tree (Vitex negundo and Vitex agnus-castus) explodes with lavender or white flowers all at one time and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The branching of the chaste tree is angular like a dwarf crepe myrtle.

Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are small trees with abundant, showy blossoms. The lush green leaves help make this a favorite in gardens and landscapes in the southern United States. So, if you suddenly spot leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow, you’ll want to figure out quickly what is going on with this versatile plant. Read on for information about what might be causing yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle and what action you should take to help your tree.

Crepe Myrtle with Yellow Leaves

Yellowing crepe myrtle leaves are never a very good sign. You’re used to gorgeous dark foliage, exfoliating bark, and abundant blossoms on this usually trouble-free tree, so it’s alarming to see leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow. What is causing the yellowing crepe myrtle leaves? It could have one of several causes, each requiring a slightly different remedy. Keep in mind that if this yellowing takes place in autumn, it is normal, as the foliage begins prepping for dormancy with leaf color changing yellow to orange or red.

Leaf Spot

Your crepe myrtle with yellow leaves may have fallen victim to Cercospora leaf spot. If the spring was very rainy and the leaves turn yellow or orange and fall, this is likely the issue. There is no real point in trying fungicides against this type of leaf spot since they are not very effective. Your best bet is to plant the trees in sunny spots where air circulates freely. It will also help to clean up and pack out infected fallen leaves. Don’t worry too much, as this disease won’t kill your crepe myrtle.

Leaf Scorch

Bacterial leaf scorch is a big bad problem that causes leaves on crepe myrtle to turn yellow. Look for the yellow appearing first at the tips or leaf margins. If your crepe myrtle has bacterial leaf scorch, remove the tree. You should burn it or otherwise dispose of it to prevent the spread of this fatal disease to healthy plants.

Physical or Cultural Damage

Anything that damages the trees may cause yellowing crepe myrtle leaves, so this could be a source of toxicity in the environment. If you’ve fertilized or sprayed the crepe myrtle or its neighbors, the problem could be excessive nutrients, pesticides, and/or herbicides. Assuming good drainage, watering it well will often help move the toxins out of the area. Other cultural problems that cause yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle include inadequate sunshine and too little water. If the soil doesn’t drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves.

Crepe myrtle trees (Lagerstroemia indica), also spelled crape myrtle, offer so much beauty that it’s no wonder they are favorite shrubs in southern gardens. The petals – white, pink, red, or purple – are paper thin and delicate, the blooms enormous and beautiful. These lovely trees are usually trouble free, but even crepe myrtles have a few issues that crop up. One of these is called crepe myrtle tip blight. What is crepe myrtle blight? Read on for information about blight and ways of treating blight on crepe myrtle.

What is Crepe Myrtle Blight?

Crepe myrtle tip blight results from a fungus that causes leaves near the tips of the tree branches to turn brown in spring or summer. Look closely at the infected foliage to see the small black spore-bearing bodies.

Crepe Myrtle Blight Treatment

Treating blight on crepe myrtle begins with proper care and cultivation practices. Like many fungal diseases, crepe myrtle tip blight can be discouraged by following a few simple rules about caring for your trees. Crepe myrtle trees need regular irrigation to bloom and thrive. However, they don’t need overhead watering. Overhead watering moistens the foliage which encourages the fungus to develop. Another good way to use prevention as part of crepe myrtle blight treatment is to encourage air circulation around the plants. Prune out branches that cross and those that head into the tree center to allow air into the crepe myrtles. Don’t forget to sterilize your pruning tool by dipping it in bleach. This avoids spreading the fungus. Another action you can take to prevent the fungus is to remove old mulch regularly and replace it. The crepe myrtle tip blight fungus spores collect on that mulch so removing it can prevent an outbreak from recurring. Before you begin using fungicide as a crepe myrtle blight treatment, make sure your tree’s problem is crepe myrtle tip blight. Take in leaves and twigs to your local garden store for advice on this. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you can use fungicide to help your trees. Spray the infected crepe myrtle trees with copper fungicide or lime sulfur fungicide. Start spraying when the leaf tip symptoms first show up, then repeat every ten days during wet weather.

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is affectionately called the lilac of the south by Southern gardeners. This attractive small tree or shrub is valued for its long blooming season and its low maintenance growing requirements. Crepe myrtle has a moderate to long life span. For more information about the lifespan of crepe myrtles, read on.

Crepe Myrtle Information

Crepe myrtle is a versatile plant with many ornamental features. The perennial tree flowers all summer long, producing showy flowers in white, pink, red, or lavender. Its exfoliating bark is also lovely, peeling back to expose the inner trunk. It is especially ornamental in winter when the leaves have fallen. Crepe myrtle leaves change color in autumn. White-blossomed trees often have leaves that turn yellow in fall, while those with pink/red/lavender blossoms have leaves that turn yellow, orange, and red. These easy-care ornamentals are drought tolerant after they are about two years old. They can grow in either alkaline or acid soil.

How Long Do Crepe Myrtle Trees Live?

If you want to know “How long do crepe myrtle trees live,” the answer depends on the location of planting and the care you give this plant. Crepe myrtle can be a low maintenance plant, but that doesn’t mean it requires no maintenance at all. You have to be sure that you select a cultivar that suits your region, hardiness zone and landscape. You can pick one of the dwarf 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.), or semi dwarf 7 to 15 feet (2-5 m.) cultivars if you don’t have a large garden. In order to give your tree the best chance at a long life, select a planting location that offers well-drained soil with full direct sun. If you plant in partial shade or full shade, you’ll get less flowers and the crepe myrtle lifespan may also be limited because of increased disease susceptibility.

Lifespan of Crepe Myrtle

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.

What is bark scale on crepe myrtles? Crepe myrtle bark scale is a relatively recent pest that is affecting crepe myrtle trees in a growing area across the southeastern United States. According to Texas AgriLife Extension, this harmful pest is newly introduced from the Far East.

White Scale on Crepe Myrtles

Adult white scale is a tiny gray or whitish pest easily identified by its waxy, crust-like covering. It can appear anywhere but is often seen on branch crotches or near pruning wounds. If you look closely under the waxy covering, you may notice clusters of pink eggs or tiny nymphs, which are known as “crawlers.” Female pests exude a pinkish liquid when crushed.

How to Treat Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale

Crepe myrtle bark scale treatment may require several different techniques, and management of the pest requires persistence. Scrub the pests away – It may sound odd but scrubbing the tree will remove many of the pests, thus making other treatment more effective. Scrubbing will also improve the appearance of the tree, especially if the scale has attracted black sooty mold. Mix a light solution of liquid dish soap and water, then use a soft brush to scrub the affected areas – as far as you can reach. Similarly, you may want to use a pressure washer, which will also remove loose bark that creates a handy hiding place for the pests. Apply a soil drench – Drench the soil between the tree’s drip line and the trunk, using a systemic insecticide such as Bayer Advanced Garden Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Bonide Annual Tree and Shrub Insect Control, or Greenlight Tree and Shrub Insect Control. This treatment works best between May and July; however, it may take several weeks for the substance to make its way throughout the tree. A soil drench will also control aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests. Spray the tree with a dormant oil – Apply dormant oil generously, using enough oil to reach cracks and crevices in the bark. You can use dormant oil between the time the tree loses its leaves in fall and before new foliage emerges in spring. Application of dormant oil can safely be repeated while the tree is still dormant.

Crepe Myrtle Bark Diseases from Scale

If your crepe myrtle is affected by white scale, it may develop black sooty mold (In fact, the sooty, black substance may be the first sign of white scale on crepe myrtles.). This fungal disease grows on the sweet substance excreted by white scale or other sap-sucking insects such as aphids, whiteflies, or mealybugs. Although sooty mold is unsightly, it is generally harmless. Once the problem pests are controlled, the sooty mold problem should resolve.

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. But are crepe myrtle roots invasive enough to cause problems? You don’t have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive?

The crepe myrtle is a small tree, rarely growing taller than 30 feet (9 m.). Beloved by gardeners for its luxurious summer blossoms in shades of pink and white, the tree also offers exfoliating bark and an autumn foliage display. If you are thinking about planting one in the garden, don’t worry about the invasiveness of crepe myrtles and their roots. The crepe myrtle root system will not harm your foundation. The crepe myrtle root system can extend a considerable distance, but the roots are not aggressive. The roots are relatively weak and will not insert themselves into nearby foundations, sidewalks or endanger nearly plants. Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. In fact, the entire crepe myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide. On the other hand, it is wise to keep all trees at least 5 to 10 feet (2.5-3 m.) away from walkways and foundations. The crepe myrtle is no exception. In addition, the root system grows so close to the surface of the soil that you shouldn’t plant flowers in the area below the tree. Even grass might compete with the shallow crepe myrtle roots for water.

Do Crepe Myrtles Have Invasive Seeds?

Some experts list crepe myrtles as potentially invasive plants, but the invasiveness of crepe myrtle has nothing to do with the crepe myrtle tree roots. Rather, the tree reproduces so readily from its seeds that, once the seeds escape cultivation, the resulting trees can crowd out native plants in the wild. Since most of the popular crepe myrtle cultivars are hybrid and do not produce seeds, reproduction by seeds in the wild is not a problem. This means that you do not risk introducing an invasive species by planting a crepe myrtle in the backyard.

Crepe myrtles are lovely trees that take center stage when they are in full bloom. But what causes a lack of leaves on crepe myrtle trees? Find out about why crepe myrtles may be late leafing out or fail to leaf out at all in this article.

My Crepe Myrtle Has No Leaves

Crepe myrtles are one of the last plants to leaf out in spring. In fact, many gardeners worry that there is something seriously wrong when the only problem is that the tree's time just hasn't arrived. The time of year varies with the climate. If you don't see leaves by mid spring, check the branches for tiny leaf buds. If the tree has healthy buds, you'll soon have leaves. Is a crepe myrtle tree appropriate for your climate zone? Crepe myrtles are suitable for temperatures in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 or 7 through 9, depending on the cultivar. When winter temperatures are too cold or when you have a freeze too late in the year, leaf buds can suffer injury. In areas that have no freezing temperatures in winter, the tree doesn't receive the expected signal that winter has come and gone. Crepe myrtles need freezing temperatures followed by warm weather so that it will know when to break dormancy. If your crepe myrtle is not leafing out, check the buds. Remove a leaf bud and cut it in half. If it is green on the outside but brown on the inside, it has suffered cold damage from late freezes. Buds that are brown all the way through have been dead a long time. This indicates a chronic problem that may have affected the tree for years. Scrape off some of the bark near the dead buds. If the wood under the bark is green, the branch is still alive. If you find dead wood, the best treatment is to cut the branch back to the point where the wood is healthy. Always make cuts just above a bud or side branch. Crepe myrtles make lovely street trees, so we often plant them in the space between the road and the sidewalk. Unfortunately, trees planted in this location suffer a lot of stress that can inhibit crepe myrtle leaf growth. Stress factors for crepe myrtles used as street trees include heat, drought, soil compaction and environmental pollution such as salt spray and car exhaust. Frequent watering can reduce the amount of stress on the tree. You should also remove root suckers and weeds in the immediate area to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.

Leaves of Crepe Myrtle Not Growing on a Few Branches

If only a few branches are failing to leaf out, the problem is likely a disease. Diseases that cause leaf bud failure in crepe myrtles are rare, but they are sometimes affected by verticillium wilt. Treatment for verticillium wilt is to cut back the branches to a point where the wood is healthy. Always cut just above a bud or side branch. If most of the branch is affected, remove the entire branch without leaving a stub. Many people feel that pruning tools should be cleaned with a household disinfectant or bleach between cuts when dealing with diseases; however, recent studies show that unless the plant has oozing wounds, disinfecting is not necessary, and disinfectants are likely to damage your tools.

Have you noticed unsightly knots on your crepe myrtles? Knots on crepe myrtle trees are usually the result of improper pruning. This article explains how to prevent knots and what to do about them when they appear. 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.

Why Knots Form on Crepe Myrtle Trees

Pollarding is a European style of pruning where all of the new growth is cut from the tree each winter. The result is that knots form at the end of the pollarded branches, and in the spring, numerous stems grow from each knot. Pollarding originated as a method of renewing firewood, and later became a method of keeping flowering trees from outgrowing their space. Inexperienced pruners sometimes find that they have pollarded their crepe myrtles in a misguided attempt to stimulate the tree to produce more flowers. In truth, this method of pruning reduces the number and size of the flower clusters, destroying the natural shape of the tree. Crepe myrtle knot trimming doesn't help it recover.

How to Fix Crepe Myrtle Knots

If you have only one or two knots, you can remove the entire branch at the point where it attaches to the trunk or a main side branch. This type of pruning won't result in a knot. When severe pruning produces knots throughout the tree, you may be able to make them less noticeable by careful pruning. First, remove most of the sprouts that arise from each knot in spring, and allow just one or two of the larger ones to grow. Over time, the sprouts will grow into branches, and the knot will be less noticeable, although they never go away. Before you prune a crepe myrtle, make sure you have a good reason for each cut you make. Cuts to remove awkward branches or those that rub against each other are fine but remove the entire branch without leaving a stub. You don't have to remove the faded flower clusters at the ends of the branches to keep the tree flowering. Lingering seed pods won't affect next year's flowers.

Crepe myrtle trees, in many varieties, overlook an abundance of southern landscapes. Southern gardeners love their crepe myrtles for summer bloom, attractive, peeling bark, and limited crepe myrtle care. 

How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9 down to 7 (with some special varieties surviving in zone 6), as they are easy to grow in the right location.

Information on Planting Crepe Myrtle

Planting crepe myrtle is similar to planting other shrubs and trees. Crepe myrtle trees should be planted in a sunny location. Soil need not be rich or amended; crepe myrtle trees are adaptable to most soils except those that are soggy. 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. Full bloom may not occur until the second year after planting. A soil test can indicate the need for fertilization. You can find soil test kits on Amazon.

Crepe myrtle prefers a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.5. When planting crepe myrtle in limited spaces, choose a smaller cultivar so that you won't be tempted to over prune. Crepe myrtle trees are available in dwarf varieties, such as the bright purple blooming Centennial and the deep red Victor. Or choose the semi-dwarf Caddo that blooms in bright pink. You can find many varieties of crepe myrtles at Fast Growing Trees.

Smaller varieties grow well in containers and some hybrids grow in colder zones.

Tips on Crepe Myrtle Care

The difficulty most often arises when caring for crepe myrtles. Crepe myrtles trees are sometimes susceptible to sooty mold and powdery mildew, but these are easily cured with an organic spray. 

The most daunting and incorrectly practiced aspect of crepe myrtle care is pruning. Crape murder usually occurs when an overly enthusiastic homeowner severely cuts back top branches on crepe myrtle trees, ruining the natural shape and form of the lovely landscape specimen.

Caring for crepe myrtle should include limited pruning and little removal of growing branches. Too much pruning from the top sends suckers shooting from the bottom of the tree or the roots, resulting in additional pruning and unnecessary crepe myrtle care. 

It can also result in an unattractive winter form. As mentioned above, crepe myrtles are sometimes attacked by powdery mildew that can limit blooms. Insects, such as aphids, may feed on succulent new growth and create a substance called honeydew that attracts sooty black mold spores. 

Crepe myrtle care to get rid of these problems can include a thorough overall spray of insecticidal soap or Neem oil, like this option from Amazon. Remember to spray the underside of the leaves. Limit crepe myrtle care, especially pruning, to thinning when needed. 

Now that you've learned how to grow crepe myrtle, plant one in your landscape this year.

The crepe myrtle tree is a beautiful tree that enhances any landscape. Many people choose this tree because its foliage is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Some people choose these trees for their pretty flowers. Others like the bark or just the way these trees look different in every season. One thing that is really interesting, however, is when you find crepe myrtle bark shedding.

Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding - A Perfectly Normal Process

A lot of people plant crepe myrtle trees and then start worrying as soon as they find that the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree in their yard. When you find bark coming off a crepe myrtle, you might think it is diseased and be tempted to treat it with a pesticide or antifungal treatment. However, you should know that peeling bark on crepe myrtle is normal. It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed. Since the crepe myrtle is a deciduous tree, it sheds all its leaves in the winter, leaving behind the beautiful bark on the tree, which makes it a prized tree in many yards. When the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree, do not treat the tree with anything. The bark is supposed to shed, and after it is done shedding, the wood will look like a paint-by-number painting, making it a definite centerpiece in any landscape. Some crepe myrtles will flower. Once the flowers fade, it's summer. After summer, their leaves will be absolutely beautiful, enhancing your fall landscape with bright yellow and deep red leaves. When the leaves fall off and the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree, you will then have beautiful colored wood to mark your yard. After winter, the colors will fade. However, the peeling bark on crepe myrtle will first leave behind beautiful warm colors, ranging from cream to warm beige to cinnamon and on to bright red. When the colors fade, they are more like light green-gray to a dark red. So, if you notice peeling bark on crepe myrtle, leave it alone! This is just one more wonderful way for this tree to actually enhance your landscape and yard. These trees are full of surprises every season. The bark coming off a crepe myrtle is just one way it can surprise you.

Crepe myrtle plants are somewhat particular. They require six to eight hours of full sunshine in order to grow flowers. They are drought tolerant but, during dry periods, require some water to continue flowering. If they are fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers, they may grow very thick foliage but not very many, if any, flowers. They are pretty hardy, yet there are crepe myrtle problems.

Crepe Myrtle Tree Problems

When pruning crepe myrtle, you have to be careful not to cause any crepe myrtle problems. What happens is if you heavily prune your crepe myrtle tree, it will cause the tree to put all their energy into growing new leaves and limbs. This means that no energy will be expended by the tree for flowers, which causes the crepe myrtle problems. When planting a new crepe myrtle, be careful not to plant the tree too deep into the soil. Crepe myrtle tree problems include robbing the tree of oxygen right from the get-go. When you plant the crepe myrtle, you want the top of the root ball to be just level with the soil so that the root ball can gather oxygen. Without oxygen, the plant cannot grow, and, in fact, the tree will actually start to decline. Other crepe myrtle tree problems include not having enough water during dry periods. In order for your crepe myrtle tree to grow well, you need to make sure it has enough water to ensure normal growth. Mulching around the tree can help the soil maintain enough moisture during drought periods.

Crepe Myrtle Diseases and Pests

Most crepe myrtle disease is caused by pests. Crepe myrtle pests include aphids and mold. When it comes to aphids, these crepe myrtle pests need to be washed off the tree with a forceful water bath or spray. You can use an environmentally safe pesticide or insecticide to wash the tree along with water. Another of the crepe myrtle pests is sooty mold. Sooty mold doesn't harm the plant and will go away by itself so long as you control the aphids. Japanese beetles are another of the crepe myrtle pests that should be mentioned. These bugs will eat the tree. Their larvae are complete pests and with enough of these beetles, can destroy a whole tree. In order to prevent crepe myrtle problems with these pests, you can use insecticides and traps. Keeping your crepe myrtle healthy isn't that difficult, it just requires a little work on your part to eliminate pests and provide the appropriate atmosphere for the tree to thrive.

You can go to a local nursery and purchase a crepe myrtle tree with plenty of blooms and plant it only to find that it is living but doesn't have many blooms on it. Do you know what the problem is? Read on to learn about crepe myrtle not blooming.

Reasons for No Flowers on Crepe Myrtle

Nothing is more beautiful than the flowers on a crepe myrtle. However, a crepe myrtle not blooming can be frustrating. Here are some reasons why this happens and tips for getting crepe myrtle trees to bloom.

Pruning too late

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. That being said, when do crepe myrtles bloom? Crepe myrtle bloom time is just after the other flowering trees. They are usually the last of the flowering trees and shrubs to bloom.

Crepe myrtle not blooming due to crowded branches

If you have an older crepe myrtle that doesn't bloom the way you think it should, wait until after crepe myrtle bloom time and encourage the crepe myrtle bloom by pruning it carefully. If you trim away any of the dead branches that are inside the tree, this allows more sunshine and air to reach the tree. Further, don't just hack away at the tree. Make sure to enhance the look of the tree carefully.

Crepe myrtle not blooming due to lack of sun

Another reason there will be no flowers on crepe myrtle is that the tree is planted where it doesn't get enough sunshine. The crepe myrtle requires significant sunshine in order to bloom. If you have a crepe myrtle not blooming, it may be planted in a bad place that lacks sunshine. Take a look around and see if something is blocking the sun from the tree.

Crepe myrtle not blooming due to fertilizer

If the tree is getting plenty of sunshine and isn't an old tree in need of pruning, it could be the soil. In this case, if you want to make crepe myrtle bloom, you might want to check the soil and see if it might not have enough phosphorus or too much nitrogen. Both of these situations can cause there to be no flowers on crepe myrtle. Heavily fertilized garden beds and lawns may have too much nitrogen which promotes healthy leaves but fails to make crepe myrtle bloom. You might want to add a little bone meal around the tree which adds phosphorus over time to the soil. So when you ask yourself, "How can I make crepe myrtle bloom?" you should know that checking all of the things mentioned and taking care of any issues will make your crepe myrtle bloom time better than you ever anticipated.

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei) is an ornamental tree that produces beautiful flower clusters, ranging in color from purple to white, pink, and red. Blooming usually takes place in summer and continues throughout fall. Many types of crepe myrtle also provide year-round interest with unique peeling bark.

Crepe myrtle trees are tolerant of both heat and drought, making them ideal for nearly any landscape. You can propagate crepe myrtle trees as well, for planting crepe myrtles in your landscape or giving them to others. Let's look at how to grow crepe myrtle from seed, how to start crepe myrtles from roots or crepe myrtle propagation by cuttings.

How to Grow Crepe Myrtle from Seed

Once flowering ceases, crepe myrtles produce pea-sized berries. These berries eventually become seedpods. Once brown, these seedpods split open, resembling small flowers. These seed capsules usually ripen in the fall and can be collected, dried and saved for sowing in spring.

To propagate crepe myrtle from seed, gently press the seeds into moist potting mix or composted soil using a regular sized pot or planting tray. Add a thin layer of sphagnum moss and place the pot or tray in a plastic grow bag. Move to a well-lit, warm location, about 75 degrees F. (24 C.). Germination should take place within two to three weeks.

How to Start Crepe Myrtles from Roots

Learning how to start crepe myrtles from roots is another easy way to propagate crepe myrtle trees. Root cuttings should be dug up in early spring and planted in pots. Place the pots in a greenhouse or other suitable location with adequate warmth and lighting. Alternatively, root cuttings, as well as other cuttings, can be planted directly in composted rooting beds. Insert the cuttings about 4 inches (10 cm.) deep and space them about 6 inches (15 cm.) apart. Mulch generously and mist regularly to retain moisture.

Crepe Myrtle Propagation by Cuttings

Crepe myrtle propagation by cuttings is also possible. This can be accomplished through softwood or hardwood cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer where they meet the main branch, about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) in length with about three to four 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. Rooting hormone can be purchased at most garden centers or nurseries. Dip each end into the rooting hormone and place the cuttings in a pot of moist sand and potting mix about 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) deep. Cover with a plastic bag to keep them moist. Rooting usually take s place within four to eight weeks.

Planting Crepe Myrtles

Once seedlings have germinated or cuttings have rooted, remove the plastic covering. Prior to planting crepe myrtles, relocate them and acclimate plants for about two weeks, at which time they can be transplanted to their permanent location. Plant crepe myrtle trees in fall in areas with full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Learning how to propagate crepe myrtle trees is a great way to add interest to nearly any landscape or simply share them with others.

Though pruning a crepe myrtle tree is not necessary to the health of the plant, many people do like to prune crepe myrtle trees in order to neaten the look of the tree or to encourage new growth. 

After these people have decided to prune the crepe myrtle trees in their yard, their next question is normally, "When to prune crepe myrtle trees?" This question on crepe myrtle pruning time has a different answer depending on why you wish to prune a crepe myrtle tree. Most likely you are either pruning for general maintenance or to try to coax a second bloom out of the tree in one year.

Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time for General Maintenance

If you are just looking to perform general maintenance on your tree, the ideal crepe myrtle pruning time is either in the late winter or early spring when the tree is in its dormancy. This is the best time to prune if you are reshaping the tree, removing deep or weak branches, trying to encourage new growth, or size maintenance.

Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time for Second Bloom

Like many plants, a crepe myrtle tree can be encouraged to put forth a second round of blossoms through a practice called deadheading. When to prune the crepe myrtle tree in this case is shortly after the tree's first round of blossoms have faded. Prune the blossoms off. 

This practice should not be done too late in the year, as it may cause the tree to delay going into dormancy, which in turn could kill it over the winter. It is not advisable to try this after the beginning of August. If the first round of blossoms is not finished by the beginning of August, you would probably not be able to get a second round of blooms before the winter comes anyway. 

When to prune crepe myrtle is something that every crepe myrtle owner should know if they plan on taking the time to prune a crepe myrtle tree. Choosing the appropriate crepe myrtle pruning time will ensure that the tree stays healthy and beautiful for many years to come.

In the Southern garden, crepe myrtle trees are beautiful and almost necessary feature in the landscape. In the spring, crepe myrtle trees are covered with lovely blossoms. As with most trees and shrubs, one of the most questions is about how to prune a crepe myrtle.

Is It Necessary to Prune a Crepe Myrtle?

Before going into how to prune crepe myrtle trees, we need to look at if you need to prune your crepe myrtle at all. While pruning is good to keep the tree shaped how you like, it is not normally necessary to the health of the tree. Prune crepe myrtle trees when you wish to shape them or if you find the branches are too close together. Other than that, you do not need to prune these Southern beauties.

When to Prune Crepe Myrtles

Crepe myrtle trees bloom on new wood, so pruning needs to occur before growth begins in spring for a fabulous show of flowers. For most of the Southern US, that means the best time to prune a crepe myrtle is between mid-February and mid-March.

If you get behind on your spring gardening duties, though, don't worry. Crepe myrtles are usually one of the later plants to wake up in the garden, which gives you extra time to get out there with a pair of pruners if you need.

How to Prune a Crepe Myrtle

There are two schools of thought when it comes to pruning crepe myrtle trees. One is a natural style and the other is a formal style. Let's look at the differences between these two methods and how to determine which one is right for your needs:

Natural Style Pruning

A natural style of pruning will mostly address the limbs within the tree that may be keeping your crepe myrtle tree from putting on the best show it can. Things like inward growing branches, damaged branches, branches that are too close together or rubbing against each other and other minor issues that could affect the canopy of the tree.

You can also remove smaller inside branches to open up the space inside the tree. With a natural style of pruning crepe myrtle trees, main branches are left alone in order to promote thick, sturdy trunks.

Formal Style Pruning

With a formal style, when you prune crepe myrtle trees, you are pruning for outward shape rather than inner openness. Formal style pruning is also thought to encourage additional blooming since it forces the tree to grow more new wood, which is where blossoms are formed.

In a formal style, the decision on how to prune a crepe myrtle tree is based on how high and how wide you would like the tree to be. All branches outside the chosen dimension is cut off, much like you would trim a hedge. This style of pruning can keep crepe myrtle trees in the same landscape setting uniform in size and shape and lends a more formal look to them.

Working with Landscapers

If you have a professional prune crepe myrtle trees for you, ask what their thoughts are on how to trees and make sure you specify which style you would like. The two styles are drastically different and if your landscaper's preferred method of pruning crepe myrtle trees is not what you had in mind, you will be disappointed.

If your landscaper didn't prune your crepe myrtle trees to your liking, you have two options. One is to simply let the tree grow out. It will eventually recover. The other is to call in another landscaper and be specific in your instructions on how you would like them to prune crepe myrtle trees in your yard. They may be able to prune the tree so that the damage will be reversed more quickly.

Beware of any landscaping company that practices tree topping, especially crepe myrtles. Topping trees damages them and it can even cause knots on crepe myrtles. Use a reputable company, preferably one with an arborist, for your tree pruning needs. This will keep your landscape looking its best and ensure your trees are healthy for a long time.

The crepe myrtle tree is considered to be the pride of the South and with their gorgeous blooms and lovely shade, a Southern summer without seeing a crepe myrtle tree in bloom is like having a Southerner without a Southern drawl. It just doesn't happen, and it wouldn't be the South without it. Any gardener who has seen the beauty of crepe myrtles has probably wondered if they can grow one themselves. Unfortunately, only people who live in USDA zone 6 or higher can grow crepe myrtles in the ground. But, for those Northern climated people, it is possible to grow crepe myrtles in containers.

What to Grow Crepe Myrtles In?

The first thing to keep in mind when you are thinking of planting crepe myrtles in containers is that a full-grown tree will need a rather large container. Even dwarf varieties, such as 'New Orleans' or 'Pocomoke', will get to be 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) tall at their mature height, so you want to take this into account. Non-dwarf varieties of a crepe myrtle tree can grow to be 10 feet (3 m.) tall or taller.

Requirements for Crepe Myrtle Plants Grown in Containers

When grown in cooler climates, a crepe myrtle tree benefits from full sun and moderate watering. Once established, crepe myrtle plants are drought tolerant, but consistent watering will promote faster growing and better blooms. Your crepe myrtle tree will also need regular fertilizing in order to achieve healthy growth.

Container Crepe Myrtle Care in the Winter

When the weather starts to get cold, you will need to bring your container grown crepe myrtle plants indoors. Store them in a cool, dark place and water them once every three to four weeks. Do not fertilize them. Your crepe myrtle tree will look as though it has died, but in fact it has gone into dormancy, which is perfectly normal and necessary to the growth of the plant. Once the weather is warm again, take your crepe myrtle tree back outside and resume regular watering and fertilizing.

Can I Leave Container Grown Crepe Myrtle Tree Outside in Winter?

If you are planting crepe myrtles in containers, it likely means that your climate is probably too cold in the winter for crepe myrtle plants to survive. What a container allows you to do is bring a crepe myrtle tree in during the winter. It is important to remember that while planting crepe myrtles in containers allows them to survive the winter indoors, it does not mean that they are better able to survive the cold. As a matter of fact, being in a container outdoors raised their vulnerability to the cold. The container is not as well insulated as the ground. Just a few nights of freezing weather can kill a container grown crepe myrtle.