Note: Scroll right to view continuation of table. Crape myrtles are available in a range of sizes – from 10 to 12 feet to 25 to 30 feet tall. It grows well in limited soil spaces in urban areas such as along boulevards, in. 1954. Crepe myrtles need little overwintering care. Morning sun is preferred because it will dry off the foliage from any overnight dew quickly. Woody, burgundy-colored stems bear semi-glossy burgundy foliage. Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone. Extension Horticulture Specialist Jeff Wilson shows you how to prune crape myrtles to achieve a natural shape in our previous blog post. Read plant and insect reference guides at Daves Garden. S. This leads to the development of sooty mold (a black fungus) that grows on the honeydew. Most people don't know this. Overwintering. Phone: 210. Deciduous. Crape myrtles grow well in almost any soil but do best in loam, silt, or clay soils. 97 Each. What They Do: Aphid suck the plant sap out of leaves which causes two harmful effects. Pronunciation: lay-gur-STREE-mee-uh. Take Advantage of our Quantity Discounts Buy 1-2 Plants. Late winter is the best time to prune crape myrtles. It typically grows to 15-25’ tall. Scientific name: Lagerstroemia x 'Apalachee'. Plant database entry for Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Christiana') with 41 data details. Crape myrtles come in many colors, but pure red is at the same time one of the most desirable and also one of the scarcest. Standard single and multi-trunk trees can grow to 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, quickly growing up to 3 feet per year. In spring they produce eggs beneath their body then die. ½ lb. As mentioned earlier, crepe myrtles are an entire genus of plants called Lagerstroemia. S. A more permanent solution to disease and pest problems (including the dreaded white scale) results. The main disease problems with crape myrtles are fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew. They Thrive in Harsh Sun. A balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8 or a 10-10-10 will work great for these plants. From its gorgeous colors to flower petals that resemble crepe paper, a Red Rocket adds visual interest to your landscaping. 6 to 12. Planting Crape myrtles have a shallow, fibrous rootCrape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5. The flower buds are a wonderful crimson color, and the flowering season lasts from mid-summer until frost. The deep red and black colors are perfect for. Skip Richter, Travis County Extension Horticulturist Jerry Parsons, Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension Fanick's Garden Center, San Antonio, TX 78220. Texas A&M Crape Myrtles for Texas Show More Show Less 2 of 6 Crape myrtles at the corner of Bellmeade St. It’s so lovely to have these gorgeous blooms mid summer when everything else is about to wilt in this heat. Lagerstroemia. You can prune a new Crape Myrtle to help establish the trunk shape and trim low branches to raise the canopy. Crape myrtles need to be heavily pruned to keep the desired tree shape, but this should not be done in the fall. Sometimes owners of crepe myrtles who want them to stay shrub-sized will cut the main central branch (i. Crape myrtle story. Mature height: 20′-25′ Flower color: red; Crepe Myrtle Tree Care While deciding which crepe myrtle is best for your landscape is based mostly on preference, caring for them. The common crape myrtle can reach a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity. Proper planning and preventative pruning will help your crape myrtle develop into a gorgeous tree that will dazzle the neighbors. It is one of the most common pests of Crape Myrtles in the United States. The adult females are around 1/10 inch in size and have a felt-like white or gray wax covering. Lagerstroemia indica or as most know it, the common crape myrtle, was introduced from China and Korea in 1747. So, before buying and planting, make sure to select a variety that has a mature height and width that will fit the planting area. 241-243, 247. Overwintering. The common crape myrtle is used as a specimen in a variety of ways including a lawn, recreational play area, and butterfly, children’s, cottage or pollinator gardens. It has attractive deep bright red flowers and is a fast grower. The ideal planting season is in either fall or early spring. Water periodically during dry spells. Natchez Crepe. Branches that grow into the center of. This Crape myrtle will bloom from about mid-summer until mid-fall prune off the expired blooms for a new burst of flowers. indica. Females lay eggs in white or gray felt-like eggsac or ovisac. Victor. With proper care and maintenance, crape myrtles can beautify outdoor spaces for years to come. Add to cart. Crape Myrtle Photo Gallery by Color ; Select color at left to view varieties with similar color flowers. Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christiana' Lagerstroemia indica. L10725 - Dynamite™ Crape Myrtle. Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Chisam Fire' Lagerstroemia : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Choctaw' Lagerstroemia : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christiana' Lagerstroemia indica : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christmas Time' Lagerstroemia : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Coccinea' One of the most beloved, iconic trees of the south, crape myrtle is prized for its long, vibrant bloom period in the height of summer heat. Sure, they’ve had a few issues with powdery mildew, but aphids and a new pest, crape myrtle bark scale, have moved ahead of them in line. Crape myrtle growing in containers will appreciate a little more fertilizer for best foliage color and bloom. (1. Cut out any dead branches. 95 Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), often referred to as the “lilacs of the South”, are among the favorites of the South. They’ll regrow to about 4 feet (1. They grow best. Ultimately, topping results in an ugly, odd-looking, higher maintenance and short-lived crape myrtle. RED Crape Myrtles Available as Miniatures, Dwarves, Medium Height or Standard Trees. It has been called the lilac of the south. Crape myrtles are, botanically speaking, a tall-growing deciduous shrub that can be trained to look like a tree with one or two main trunks. 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 balance(s) of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium would. I never even knew these trees existed before moving to the South. First, you need to measure the trunk diameter with a caliper. Planning Start by selecting a spot that will allow plenty of space for the mature plant. L. Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christiana' Lagerstroemia indica : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christmas Time' Lagerstroemia :. Step 5. These showy flowers may be shades of white, pink, red or lavender. Colors range from red and pink to lavender and white. Summer heat brings an explosion of blooms that fill the tree until—and sometimes throughout—autumn. However, it’s also one of the slowest-growing crape myrtles, only reaching heights of two to three feet per year. The unique combination created a Crape Myrtle with dark burgundy-blackish plum foliage and deep red flowers which is similar to the Best Red Black Diamond. [photo from Christiana via Dave’s Garden] The Nuttall Oak. It is a versatile flowering plant with many attractive characteristics such as excellent bark color, texture, form and shape, fall foliage color and seed pods which persist in the winter. Crape Myrtles should only be pruned rarely, like any other tree. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. Oldest nursery in the US that EXCLUSIVELY grows Crape Myrtles. Low-maintenance Black Diamond® Crape Myrtles are highly disease-resistant. The genus Lagerstroemia, which is a member of the plant family Lythraceae, is where crepe myrtles are found. com Native to Asia, Dynamite Crape Myrtle has dark green foliage in the spring and all summer long that changes to bright green in the fall. Insufficient sunlight can result in poor growth and fewer blooms. Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone. A common problem is the careless use of mowers and string trimmers around the base of thin-barked crape myrtle trees. Fertilizer labels show the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K ratio). Some species demonstrate moderate growth of between 1 and 3 feet a year. All plants are shipped well rooted, in soil-filled pots, and never "bare root. 5. But your coastal garden with saline soil and salt. Forget lopping off the top of this Crape Myrtle so that it survives the cold - the Tuscarora thrives through it all, so there's no hassle for you. As soon as the leaves begin to show up in spring, start fertilizing. At maturity, it can reach a height of 15 ft. Crape Myrtles come in many sizes, so the wrong choice may leave you with a baby plant where you wanted a full-sized tree. (April through August) to help you with your gardening questions. Begins blooming a little later than most crepe myrtles, usually in July; selections include ‘Cherry Dazzle’ (our favorite), cherry-red blooms; ‘Diamond Dazzle,’ white blooms; and ‘Sweetheart Dazzle,’ bubble-gum-pink. The Scarlet Crape Myrtle produces clusters of vibrant red flowers and has an upright canopy with growth rates of up to 2 feet per year, which makes it an excellent choice for landscapes around Dallas, Texas. Fertilization: Regular fertilization is necessary for Crape Myrtles in pots to promote healthy growth and abundant blooming. First Editions. Lightly fertilize every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months. Let me tell you about that last one. Crape myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well, once it becomes established. A healthy, well-structured crape myrtle will have only a few main trunks. Introduction Selections of crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp. Creative genius and science horticulture took a giant step forward and suddenly black diamond appeared with dark black foliage with vivid pink, white, magenta, red, purple, and lavender colors. Crape myrtles thrive on a balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. 0 or 6. Ideal as a landscape accent or container specimen. Dig Up The Tree. The best defense against black sooty mold is a good offense, which means working to keep your Crape Myrtle healthy and less susceptible to pest damage and. The different types of crape myrtles grow to varying heights, ranging from just a few feet tall to 30 or even 40 feet. How to Plant a Crape Myrtle. Red Rocket is a full, tree-sized Crape Myrtle, quickly passing 12 feet in height. The past couple of summers have been banner years for crape myrtles, especially in our own World Collection Park of the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney. Crape Myrtle is a southern garden favorite. $312. Foliage: oval-shaped with a definite pointed end, colour variable with variety but older L. They all froze last winter. 3. 6. Watering them. 3. Spread 2 to 4 inches (7. True red flowers. First things first. The Muskogee crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica x Fauriei) is the largest crape myrtle, reaching heights of 25 to 30 feet if well taken care of. This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: Anniston, Alabama. 1025. Baffling gardeners in North. ) RENOVATING A POORLY PRUNED CRAPE MYRTLE: a) Let a “murdered” tree with large diameter trunks (1" caliper or more) grow out for a season, and in early the following Spring, select one, two or possibly three dominant branches per trunk to grow out over time. Native to China, Japan, and Korea southward to Oceania, crape myrtles have been cultivated in the U. Tonto crape myrtles are smaller than other crape myrtle varieties and have a moderate growth rate averaging 13-24’’ per year. Description: This attractive ornamental shrub or small tree is covered in vibrant deep pink-red blooms in summer, followed by red-orange fall foliage; a captivating focal point for the garden or border; exceptional cold hardiness and heat tolerance. Young plants and new growth are usually more severely damaged than older plants, leaves, or branches. Remember these trees are drought tolerant and after establishment require little water. Some are small shrubs, while others are large, multitrunked trees. indica is a deciduous species widely commercial as an ornamental that has become naturalized and invasive in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world ( Randall, 2012, USDA-ARS, 2014 ). Christiana: Dark Red: Upright: 8 - 10: Fair: Orange Red: Great: Firebird: Watermelon red: Broad upright: 10: Fair: N / A: N / A: Hopi: Medium Pink: Low Globose:. Intermediate Shrub Size Red-Flowered Crape Myrtles (over 12 feet tall)Crape Myrtle Bushes. Breeding programs over the last 30 years have produced superior forms with a wide range of plant sizes and habits; improved flowering, new flower colors, ornamental bark, ornamental foliage, and. 7-8 ft. and L. The genus Myrica, which. It is a favorite among Southern gardeners because of its beauty and low maintenance. Cut more than that and it may result in a stressed tree pushing out a lot of new growth,’ says Dean Dietrich. Medium crape myrtle cultivars (growing up to about 15 feet in height) and tall or tree-size crape myrtle cultivars (often growing 20 – 30 feet tall in 10 years) are best reserved for open areas. The stem that emerges from the ground is the first degree, where it splits are the second-degree branches and where the second-degree branches split are the third-degree branches. , San Antonio , Texas 78220, Phone: 210 - 648 - 1303. This crape myrtle tree has a properly exposed trunk flare. Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. The name ‘Fuchsia d’Été’ translates into fuchsia summer, which alludes to the plant’s bright pink flowers that bloom in the early summer. The most common problems we see with crape myrtle can be “crape MURDER”, some leaf diseases, like powdery mildew, crape myrtle bark scale, aphids, and beetles. Powdery mildew is a disease which is common on many ornamental trees and shrubs, including crape myrtles. Single Trunk. Tucson, Arizona. ‘Splash of Pink’ produces terminal, crepe-papery inflorescences (6-12” long) of pink, white and bicolor flowers from mid-summer to early fall. Sometimes, cutting back the surrounding trees will give your crape myrtle more daily sunlight. Not only do we grow many different varieties of crape myrtles, we also grow over 100 different other varieties of large plants and shrubs. Downy mildew is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of Miss Sandra Crape Myrtle trees. However, this severe method of pruning results in a disproportionate tree, can shorten the life of. The bright blooms of the Black Diamond reach their productivity peak during the summer and. Fertilize in spring with a general purpose shrub fertilizer — cottonseed meal works great — and keep it mulched to maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature. With ideal planting conditions this shrub grows at a fast rate. (02/03/17) “A tree which has lost its head will never recover it again, and will survive only as a monument of the ignorance and folly of its tormentor. Christiana Crape myrtle Color: Dark red Growing Habit: Upright Height: 8 - 10 ft. Removing some of these trunks can fundamentally change the structure of your crape myrtle. ”. Figure 1. Topping a crape myrtle forces the tree to produce many unsightly root suckers. Good foliage retention into the fall months. Be prepared for it to grow up to 25-30 ft. Many leaves fall during the summer, although some are the normal green. Cold hardy in USDA zones 7-9. Dwarf (3-5 ft. The History of Crape Myrtles. Christiana Crape myrtle Color: Dark red Fanick’s Garden Center Inc. twigs of crape myrtle. BRANDON, Miss. Size: Crape myrtle come in many different sizes: dwarfs, semi-dwarfs and standard-size trees. How to prune a Crepe Myrtle requires removing pencil limbs, suckers, and rubbing branches. ‘Pocomoke’ is a miniature hybrid crape myrtle hybrid (complex five generation cross generally described as L. Raspberry Sundae. Light infestations will look like small, white bumps on the bark of the plant while heavier infestations can look like felt mats. At first, we thought that this was a reaction to the drought. They feed by piercing plant tissues and sucking out the sap, leading to curled or yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and a sticky substance on the leaves or ground beneath the tree, known as honeydew. In early spring, dig up established crepe myrtle plants. National Arboretum in 1990, and has been recognized as a Georgia Gold Medal winner (1996) and Mississippi Medallion plant (1999). The Black Diamond is hardy in Zones 7 to 9. The Ruffled Red Magic Crape Myrtle is a medium-sized upright shrub which will reach 12 feet tall within a few years, with a width of about 8 feet. The “original” Indica crape myrtles are native to China and the first records of it being brought to the United States date back to the late 1700’s. The Muskogee Crape Myrtle. Foliar diseases decrease plant vigor and flowering, especially in the absence of new growth in spring. $ 280. $ 121. These plants thrive in heat and humidity and have the potential to bloom all summer long with relatively little care. Crape Myrtles are common landscaping trees, mostly used in privacy hedges, for hanging baskets, as bonsai, or even as beautiful specimen trees. wide. Resists mildew, and is heat and drought tolerant. 95. 95. Model # CRMPMA01G. Growing Crape Myrtles Exclusively Since 1977 Our nursery has been growing crape myrtles for over 40 years. Crape myrtle can be used effectively with other. 87-Quart Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Tree In Pot (With Soil) - Glossy Green Leaves, Dark Purple Flowers. Then, to maximize spring growth and summer bloom, fertilize crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. It is a member of. Learn how to grow petunia flowers in pots, hanging baskets or beds for vibrant summer color and get tips on how to care for wilting petunias. Severe pruning at this time of the year could result in diseased branches and slow the development of these tough trees. Young sprouts may need to be removed from the base of crape myrtle when training into a tree, especially first few years. You may also want to leave a few suckers to grow into new stems as well. Make sure you plant yours in a sunny spot where it is not blocked by other trees. Lagerstroemia. Crapemyrtles should be pruned to pencil-sized branches that are in the third degree of the canopy. ‘Miss Sandra’ resulted from a pollination between an unregistered purple-flowered seedling collected in San Antonio, TX, as the female parent and ‘Tonto’ as the male parent ( Egolf. The sucker stopper, which acts as a plant growth regulator, can also be used. Flowering shrubs, prized for their outstanding show of blooms, should be a part of every landscape. Characteristics of Selected Crape Myrtle Varieties. Dig a big hole at least twice as wide as the root ball to prepare. As they feed, they excrete honeydew, which is a sugary liquid that promotes the growth of. Growing in clusters called panicles, the frilly-petaled flowers can be shades of pink, purple, red, or white. A light 1-2 inches mulch layer of pine fines or pine straw can help to hold moisture around the roots during drier winter months. It grows well in limited soil spaces in urban areas such as along boulevards, in parking lots, and in small pavement cutouts if provided with some irrigation until well established. Catawba is a medium-sized crape myrtle, quickly reaching 8 feet in height and eventually perhaps reaching 12 feet tall. Resists mildew, and is heat and drought tolerant. Natural Look. a small tree with purple, pink, or white flowers 2. Tuskegee Crepe Myrtle. 55, Geo. As they age, the pods become brown and split open to reveal the seeds. The following cultivars are showing excellent or good resistance to powdery mildew: Semi-dwarf (15 feet) – Acoma (white), Caddo (pink), Hope (blush-white), Pecos (pink), and Tonto (red). 3. These trees usually take on a vase shape with shiny, bright green leaves. Spread 2 to 4 inches (7. Very few insects are pests of crape myrtle. Shop Crape Myrtle Trees Black Diamond® Pure White™ Crape Myrtle Tree $ 64. Bronze. (1. How much to prune: Properly prune your crape myrtle by removing 25% of the crown, and no more than 30%, Moorman said. Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. It appears as yellow or brown spots on the upper surface of the leaves, while the underside of the leaves has a white or gray downy appearance. , 1025 Holmgreen Rd. e. 2 m. ResidentialMid Carolina Crepe Myrtle & Shade Tree also offers direct installation from our nursery to your place of business or residence. Fertilize in spring with a general purpose shrub fertilizer — cottonseed meal works great — and keep it mulched to maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) 'Mandi' supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at D. Crapemyrtle bark scale (Michael Merchant, Texas Cooperative Extension, Bugwood. Semi-Dwarf Red-Flowered Crape Myrtles (from 4 to 12 feet tall) Cheyenne – 8-10 feet tall rounded head shrub. If the tree is pruned wrong, it will require even more pruning as the new growth of smaller branches sprout out all over the tree. Winter injury, particularly to top growth, may occur in USDA Zones 5 and 6. This practice, although common, is harmful and is not the right way to prune a crape myrtle. fauriei. Southern gardeners love their crepe myrtles for summer bloom, attractive, peeling bark, and limited crepe myrtle care. Raspberry, White, Bright pink, Plum. Crown uniformity is symmetrical. Best Time to Prune Crape Myrtles. 80. This broad variety sends out bold flowers of dark rose pink with dark red overtones, covering the branches from early summer through to early fall. The Natchez crape myrtle trees are reasonably heat and drought-tolerant. Arapaho. Crape Myrtles are one of the best shrubs for containers on hot, sunny terraces, since they love the heat and sunshine. Blooms in summer months June-August. Next, improper pruning, or pruning too late, can cause crape myrtles not to. These common molds are caused by fungi that grow on the sugary substance, called honeydew, produced by various insects that suck. Prune off any dead sections from your tree's root ball using sharp. The Mystic Magenta Myrtle is an impressive specimen. First Editions. Characteristics of Crape Myrtle Varieties. To measure the crapemyrtle, add up the circumference of all trunks at chest high (about 4. We currently offer 9 different Crape Myrtle species which are fast-growing (up to 4 foot a year), sun-loving, drought tolerant, and perform well in many different soil. Topping removes all the upper branches. Watch. Lower limbs of. Twilight – which exceeds 30 feet. 6. 648. (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) Check out the largest plant identification database in the world. Ornamental Features This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. After planting, water to settle the soil and roots. CMBS was first detected in Chesapeake in. Crape myrtles are popular due to the huge variety there is in cultivars. Leaf and stem surfaces are covered with a black sooty substance, causing them to appear black and dirty. The crape myrtle is deciduous. Groups of crape myrtle are commonly used as a hedge, privacy screen or street tree landscape. This plant tends to keep a good shape naturally and requires very little pruning, but with minor work, you can tidy up the appearance and help the plant produce an abundance of flowers. Smooth, colorful peeling bark adds year-round interest. Description. For a more graceful shape, remove all but 4 to 5 strong trunks and then remove the lateral branches around the lower half of the tree. You need to decide what look you would like for your tree to have. Explore. by reducing photosynthesis in the leaves. 6/94. Classifications include miniature, dwarf crepe myrtles, medium, and standard. Starting at ground level, follow the trunks upward to where they begin to branch, focusing on the interior of the tree rather than the outer edges. Melissa. Crape myrtles are the best go-to plantation for most gardens and homeowners. indica is an upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling brown and grey bark and, 8cm long, dark green leaves which are bronze when young. Most crape myrtle trees get aphids during summer. For more, see our in-depth guide to growing and caring for crape myrtles in your garden and the best deer resistant flowers and plants. What you need to know about crepe myrtle. Make sure you plant yours in a sunny spot where it is not blocked by other trees. for more than. S. Stick to the fertilization schedule discussed above unless your crape myrtle plants lack essential nutrients, required for flowering, due to poor soil conditions. As bees collect nectar from the flowers, they inadvertently transfer pollen from. Can be used in planter on deck or patio. Learn more. C. Keep in mind, it does mean the shape might look a little off center or disheveled. per 100 sq. Crape myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well, once it becomes established. 95. per 100 sq. Crape myrtles are notorious for being one of the last plants to start growing in our landscapes, and I would not be surprised if we had some winter damage on some. Steps for Hardwood Cutting Propagation: In late fall or winter, cut a 6-12 inch piece from a mature, dormant crepe myrtle stem. Cooperative Extension, Wayne County Center at The. Their vibrant coloring is emphasized by the way the carnation-like flowers hide the yellow stamens. 15-20' H x 10-15' W. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) 'Mandi' supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at D. $42. Miss Sandra Crape Myrtle Green Leaf Purple Flowering Ornamental Tree. Thankfully gardeners and growers both saw the need for smaller, more compact crepe myrtles—or crape myrtles or crapemyrtles if you prefer—that didn't need annual pruning. Crape Murder. in 1786 by André Michaux (plant adventurer and botanist to King Louis XVI), its entry point was Charleston. It is perhaps the fastest-growing Crape Myrtle you can buy; but you don’t have to give up beauty for speed, because this tree is a real beauty. Growing the Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle Size and Appearance. Buy from Amazon. Dynamite. Note that crepe myrtles may not bloom fully until their second season. ) Red: Petite Red Imp, Petite Red Embers Pink: Petite Pinkie, Pokemoke Lavender: Petite Orchid Purple: Petite Plum, Centennial, Velma’s Royal […] Planting. The crape myrtle is valued mainly for its long period of striking summer flowers. A thick layer will help the roots hold moisture and discourage the growth of weeds, which can sap the trees nutrients. (Howard Garrett) De-stress your trees. Ideal as a landscape accent or container specimen. ) with true red flowers are now widely available, thanks to new and dramatic improvements in crape myrtle flower color. Pole pruners or a pruning saw which you can use to cut branches more than 1½ inches thick. We are the original inventors of the US Patented Miniature Crape Myrtles! We have over 55 varieties available of miniature , dwarf , medium and standard (tree) crape myrtles. Mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of pine straw or pine bark is ideal for crape myrtles. The main cause of leaf spot in crape myrtles is the fungus Cercospora. A crape myrtle planted in partial shade or full shade will experience reduced flowering. Width: 15’-25’. Crape myrtles, in particular Lagerstroemia indica L. The experts at Florida’s Crape Myrtle Company say: '"Basham's Party Pink’ is the fastest-growing crepe myrtle tree we have ever seen. Crepe — also spelled “crape” — myrtle is native to China and Korea. It is up to us to strike the balance and to be good. Other Names: Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle. Introduction to Plant Food. Queen crape myrtle tree is the big mama of crapes, with giant pale purple blossoms, and a shade tree form. Then, look for higher branches that are growing inward toward the center of the tree, and get rid of those. Here is the same crepe myrtle tree. The large open cuts caused from topping invite wood-rotting organisms and ultimately decay. 'Apalachee' is a cross between L. This makes it a good fit in most gardens as it is big enough to have a real impact but not so. Form: Near flat globe globe upright Hardiness: -30 degrees -25 degrees -25 degrees Fahrenheit Fahrenheit Fahrenheit. Winter trunks are fabulous with mottled tan and brown from peeling bark. The Natchez Crepe is also popular because of its fast-growth, which can be between 3 and 5 feet a year. The growth rate is about 10-12 ft. The Miss Sandra Crape Myrtle is a small tree reaching 20 feet within 10 years, with a dense, leafy crown and upright spreading growth. The aphids feed on the sap and excrete tiny droplets of a sugary liquid called honeydew. 5). You need to decide what look you would like for your tree to have. The Black Diamond series of crapemyrtles have been planted at the UF North Florida Research and Education Center (outside Tallahassee).