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The proper time to prune crape myrtle is late winter (January-February). Since crape myrtles form their flowers on new growth, there is no danger of removing already-formed buds.
What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
When to Prune? 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.
Should crepe myrtles be cut back in the fall?
Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Fall pruning not only creates an unattractive look for winter but also removes the current year’s growth as a buffer against any potential winter damage.
Can you cut back a crepe myrtle in the summer?
Pruning crepe myrtles in summer is not the optimal time of year to trim your trees, unless you wait until after they bloom. Floridata notes that some cultivars continue to bloom for as long as 120 days, making this tree or large shrub a popular landscape plant.
Can you prune crepe myrtles in May?
While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them. Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.
What month is late winter?
When is Late Winter? Late winter is 4 to 6 weeks before spring thaw begins. This could be any time in January to May, depending on your climate.
How do you trim a crape myrtle for winter?
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).
Can I prune crepe myrtles in January?
The proper time to prune crape myrtle is late winter (January-February). Since crape myrtles form their flowers on new growth, there is no danger of removing already-formed buds.
Can I prune my crepe myrtle in April?
Generally, Crape Myrtles in the fall should be left to grow. A rule of green thumb: The ideal time to prune will be late winter, February or March, however you can wait until April to prune your Crape Myrtle if you live in milder growing zones.
Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?
Cut off spent crape myrtle blossoms by late July to encourage flowering again. 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.
What plants should be pruned in winter?
Prune evergreen shrubs (yew, holly, and boxwoods) and evergreen trees (spruce, fir) in late winter or early spring when they are still dormant and before new growth begins. Pines are pruned in early June to early July. Prune shade trees, such as oak, sweetgum, maple, katsura and hornbeam in late winter or early spring.
What shrubs should be cut back in February?
Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned between February and March; usually those that flower on the current year’s growth. Shrubs that need regular pruning include Buddleja davidii, Ceratostigma, Hydrangea paniculata, Lavatera, Leycesteria, Perovskia, hardy fuchsias, and deciduous Ceanothus.
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 are my crepe myrtles not blooming?
If no flowers appear, it can be because the tree was pruned late in the season, mistakenly removing the new wood which causes the buds for the flowers to never really develop. Never prune a crape myrtle BEFORE it blooms.
Can a crepe myrtle be topped?
Topping a crape myrtle destroys the natural balance and beauty of the tree. Improperly trimmed multi-trunk crape myrtles have weakend immune responses and cannot fight off disease and insects as well. As the topping continues, the crape myrtles can respond by growing more trunks, worsening the problem.
What is the lifespan of a crape myrtle?
Lifespan – When planted in full sun and fertile soil, Crepe Myrtles can live well beyond 50 years. In fact, dotted along the southeastern landscape, it is common to come across specimens over 100 years old.
How many times a year do crepe myrtles bloom?
You Really Can Have Two Bloom Cycles on Crepe Myrtles. Some years, the first bloom cycle of crepe myrtles lasts a month or more. Other years, it seems to go away far too soon.
Should I cut the seed pods off crepe myrtle?
The balls at the end of crape myrtle branches are seed pods that formed from the flowers last summer. They do not hurt the tree and will not affect flowering this summer. You do not need to cut off the balls at the end of the branches. These are seed pods that formed from the flowers last summer.
