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This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
How can I make my crepe myrtle grow faster?
To help your crape myrtle grow taller (and produce more flowers), use a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Do not use this too often or you will get more leaves than flowers. Water the tree once a week, soaking the entire root system thoroughly. They require at least 1 inch of water per week.
How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to bloom?
The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive. Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety.
Where is the best place to plant a crepe myrtle?
Crape Myrtle Trees need plenty of sun, so choose a bright sunny spot for your planting. They are idea for those hot, dry places where other plants do not thrive, so take advantage of that and use them in places that can be hard to fill.
When should crepe myrtles be planted?
Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.
What happens if you dont trim crepe myrtle?
Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won’t grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you’ll encourage way more blooms to appear.
Are crepe myrtle slow growing?
In general, crape myrtles grow at a medium to fast growth rate at about 1-2 feet per year. Hence where they get their nickname – fast growing trees!Sep 16, 2021.
Are crepe myrtles easy growing?
How to grow crape 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.
How long can crepe myrtles live?
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.
How close can I plant a crape myrtle to my house?
As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size. It will naturally tend to grow away from the wall and toward the light.
Are crepe myrtles messy?
Crape myrtles also require pruning to promote the new growth needed for blooming, to reveal the bark, and to keep the shrub or tree tidy. Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up.
Is crape myrtle invasive?
Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
How far from a fence should you plant a crepe myrtle?
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 deer eat crepe myrtles?
From the article at the link – Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) come in a variety of different hybrids with bright, lacy flower clusters in the summer. Though the hungriest deer will eat plants not characteristic of its regular diet, deer will seldom eat any variety of crape myrtle.
What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?
The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes.
Do crepe myrtles smell?
Crape Myrtles are TREES and that means they grow TALL from 20 – 40′ in height. They have been lovingly referred to as the Lilac of the South (with no fragrance) with a very long bloom time in the summer.
What can you plant under a crape myrtle?
The 6 Best Plants to Plant under Crepe Myrtle Trees Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) The Rose of Sharon bush perfectly compliments a crepe myrtle tree. Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata) The roots of your crepe myrtle tree are very shallow. Lantana. Hibiscus. Rain Lily (Zephyranthes grandiflora) Coreopsis.
Should crepe myrtles be trimmed every year?
Growing Conditions Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.
What kind of fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?
Then, to maximize spring growth and summer bloom, fertilize crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Fertilizers including 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles, but don’t go overboard.
Are crape myrtles good for privacy?
Crape Myrtles are a beautiful choice when deciding what to plant. You will receive well branched plants that will quickly become a thick, bushy and blooming privacy shield.
How tall is a 5 gallon crape myrtle?
Growing to 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, the Dynamite Crape Myrtle is ideal for use as a specimen tree, in groupings, or as a hedge in landscape borders.
How often should you water newly planted crepe myrtles?
Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil. Water new plants regularly for about two months, and water during drought for better blooms and healthier plants.
