Crape Myrtle Trees

November 25, 2024 Post a Comment

Crape myrtle trees

Full sun locations are best for crape myrtles, they will tolerate some shade, but the plants produce fewer blooms and thinner canopies. Hot, dry weather and soils can slow flowering. Choose a spot with well drained, but moist soils.

Do crepe myrtle trees grow fast?

Growth Rate This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

How big do crape myrtle trees get?

Dwarf varieties only grow to a height of 4 feet or less. Semi-Dwarf varieties grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Large or Tree Crapemyrtle reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet.

Is crepe myrtle a good tree?

The Crepe Myrtle should be planted in a sunny, open space so that the air can move around it and discourage the growth powdery mildew. It is drought resistant and requires moderate water and needs soil that drains well, but is not necessarily fertile. This helps to explain why it does well in Florida and California.

How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to grow?

Crape myrtles grow quickly. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, “this shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24 inches per year.” Crape myrtles generally grow between 15-25 feet tall, so most trees take five to 10 years to mature.

Are crepe myrtles high maintenance?

Crape myrtle is a relatively low-maintenance choice for landscaping in the appropriate region, but they do require some specific care for their showy blooms to flourish. To help your crape myrtle look its very best… Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive.

How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to bloom?

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. This may sound like a long time, but bear in mind that the trees take 5-10 years to mature, and 20-50 years to reach their ultimate size.

What is the best time of year to plant crape myrtle?

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.

Is a crepe myrtle a messy tree?

But crepe myrtles are messy trees. What is up must come down, and those blooms will end up all over your driveway and whatever is parked on it for many weeks. Forget keeping it clean.

Do crepe myrtle have invasive roots?

Crape myrtle do not have invasive root systems, which may be one reason they are used as sidewalk margin trees. They don't lift the sidewalks as so many other trees do. And their beautiful fall color is another reward.

How far from your house should you plant a crape myrtle tree?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc). To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6'-10' apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8'-12' apart.

Should crepe myrtle trees be cut back every year?

Pruning to Maintain Size If you have a large crepe myrtle tree growing in a position that doesn't accommodate its size, then you'll need to undertake annual pruning to keep it at a manageable size. The best practice to ensure good shape and health is to remove all of the tips of the tree.

What are the cons of crepe myrtles?

Top Disadvantage of Crape Myrtles: Bark Scale As they feed on crape myrtles, they secrete a sugary, sticky substance called honeydew that turns is the perfect environment for black sooty mold along the branches and tree trunk. If that sounds gross, you're right. It can ruin the look of your once-beautiful crape myrtle.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

It should also be noted that some types of crape myrtles, if left unpruned, can be expected to produce the most flowers. As the degree of pruning increases, the number of flowers tends to decrease. However, the flower clusters in pruned crape myrtles tend to be larger than those from unpruned plants.

How long does a crepe myrtle last?

Crape myrtles are beautiful flowering trees that are native to eastern Asia but can be found in many parts of the United States. They can grow up to 20-25 feet tall and have a lifespan of about 20 years. These plants are typically seen as ornamental, but they also have other uses.

How far to plant crape myrtle from fence?

If you are planting a row of crape myrtles to create a privacy screen, you'll want to leave at least three feet from your property line or fence. Five feet is recommended for larger types, as you'll want to ensure you have control over the growth and pruning of your tree.

Do crape myrtles need a lot of water?

Crape Myrtles need at least one inch of water per week, with more during especially hot and dry weather. Still, these plants are fairly drought resistant once they've matured. Though Crape Myrtles like a good and deep soaking, issues like poor drainage and overwatering can lead to problems.

Are crape myrtles poisonous to dogs?

Crape Myrtle is not poisonous to dogs, so you can include this perennial shrub in your landscape if you have furry friends. Some varieties have berries and seed pods that may fall from the plant, but there is no reason to be concerned if your dog eats any part of the plant.

Can crape myrtle survive winter?

While all crape myrtles are cold hardy to USDA Zone 7a, meaning they will tolerate low winter temperatures to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, there are now many varieties that are cold hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6a, which has low temperatures to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

What month do crepe myrtles bloom?

Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety. You may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well. “Why?” you might ask.