Crape myrtles produce attractive displays of flowers during the summer

Crape myrtles are attractive low maintenance flowering trees

    One of the most beautiful ornamental plants in the landscape is the crape myrtle. During the summer months, these plants bloom produce many blooms while needing minimum maintenance. They are long-lived, can tolerate dry conditions after becoming established, and are relatively free of disease and insect difficulties. Crape myrtles have an extensive range of colors from red and pink to lavender and white. The plants can range from less than 3 feet to more than 20 feet, depending on cultivar, and its plant of great versatility. It performs well in confined spaces and is well-suited for small areas. Crape myrtles develop several main stems, with multi-trunk crape myrtles being preferable to single stem plants.  

     Crape myrtles grow under adverse soil conditions but perform better if planted in soil that has been well prepared. Like with other ornamentals trees and shrubs, dig the hole twice the width of the root ball and no deeper than the top of the root ball. Fill in the hole with the backfill that was dug out after removing rocks and other debris. Research has shown that organic matter amendments are not necessary when planting in individual holes. Water the plants thoroughly once a week until the plants become established. After that, crape myrtles can tolerate extended dry spells; however, supplemental watering enhances flowering. Avoid applications of fertilizers high in nitrogen, which causes the plant to produce fewer flowers and more vegetative growth susceptible to pests and, if fertilized in the fall, more vulnerable to cold damage. Light applications of fertilizers in spring and summer are all that is needed.

     The most common pest on crape myrtles is powdery mildew. It appears as a white to grayish powder on the surfaces of leaves, flowers, and new shoots. It is most frequent are the plants are growing in shady, damp locations with poor air circulation and prefer dry, warm days and cool night temperatures and high humidity. To control the fungus, locate plants in full sun and planting resistant varieties like ‘Natchez,’ ‘Muskogee,’ ‘Sioux,’ and ‘Tuskegee.’ Chemical control of powdery mildew is difficult to achieve. Sometimes tiny insects called aphids infest the crape myrtles and secrete a sugary substance that causes black sooty mold. The aphids can be controlled by applications of insecticidal soaps or summer horticultural oils. Crape myrtle flowers on new growth of the season, so you can prune plants any time during the late winter or early spring before growth begins without flower buds.

   Pruning the crape myrtles allows for the development of an abundance of new shoots and flowers. Do not prune in the early fall before frost since it forces new growth, thus preventing the plant from going dormant, leading to freezing damage. The best time to prune is in the winter months during dormancy. However, very little pruning is necessary, and often people prune crape myrtles far more than is necessary.

    With minimal efforts, crape myrtles are a beautiful addition to the landscape. No landscape is complete without them.