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Find a Sunny Location. Decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage.
Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?
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.
Can you plant crepe myrtle close to House?
You can plant crape myrtle near the foundation as they have non-invasive roots, according to Dayton Nursery. However, be sure to plant them far enough away from the foundation and the building so the shrub can grow to its full size without being blocked by the building.
What is the best month to plant crepe myrtles?
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.
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.
How much room does a crepe myrtle need?
Most varieties grow between 10 and 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. They should be planted to accommodate their mature width with at least 15 feet between each shrub. Crape myrtles have a naturally graceful form and look best when pruned lightly.
Can crepe myrtles grow in shade?
I have seen crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) growing in partial shade, however, they grow best in full sun. When grown in partial shade, they tend to get overly leggy and their flowers are typically smaller and fewer. In addition, many crape myrtles are susceptible to powdery mildew disease, which worsens in shade.
What can you plant at the bottom of a crepe myrtle?
Surrounded by Hostas As noted, crepe myrtles will create shade. Therefore, if you’re going to plant near the base of the tree, you’ll need shade-tolerant plants. Hostas are an ideal choice. They’re easy to maintain, and many species love the shade.
Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and 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 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.
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.
Do crape myrtles grow fast?
This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
Is crape myrtle invasive?
Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
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 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.
