Table of Contents
Growth Rate 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 long does it take a crepe myrtle to grow?
This myrtle, like all myrtles, thrives in full sunlight and moist but well-draining soils. It has a maximum height of between 15 to 30 feet, which means it will take between about five to 10 years to reach maturity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the best time to plant crape myrtle trees?
Crape myrtles will survive in almost any soil and sunny location. However, because they flower on new growth, the better the soil, the more they grow and flower. The best time to plant crape myrtle is June to late September while soils are warm.
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 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.
Can you overwater a crape myrtle?
Watering Issues Crape myrtle trees need the most moisture in the soil profile when they are actively growing — when the plant displays leaves. Overwatering crape myrtles in spring and summer can diminish flowering, since overly moist soil promotes leafy growth, not flower production.
Do crepe myrtles need a lot of water?
Crepe myrtle likes a medium amount of water and prefers consistently moist soils where it can get it. However, once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and will subsist on a deep watering – to a depth of 6 inches or so – once or twice per month, reports Wilson Brothers Gardens.
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.
Are crape 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.
How far do crepe myrtle roots spread?
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.
Are coffee grounds good for crepe myrtle?
The answer is yes! Coffee grounds make an excellent ground mulch, especially for acid-loving plants.
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.
Does crepe myrtle make a good hedge?
Crepe myrtles have many landscape uses. Planted together, they make a large deciduous hedge or screen.
