how far apart do you plant crepe myrtles

When is the best time for planting crape myrtle?

The best crepe myrtle varieties to look out for include:

• Lagertroemia 'Zuni' - hardy variety that blooms with pink / purple flowers
• Lagerstroemia 'Sioux' - produces pale pink flowers and is suitable for small gardens
• Lagerstoemia 'Red Hot' - A new variety of crepe myrtle with near black foliage and bright red flowers

How do I plant a crape myrtle tree?

How Do I Plant a Crape Myrtle Tree

• Selecting the Right Tree. Consider the location of the tree before selecting a variety. ...
• Choosing a Location. Plant crape myrtles in full sun to get the best blooms. ...
• Planting a Crape Myrtle. Within any of its recommended USDA zones, late fall to early spring is the ideal time to plant a crape myrtle, while the plant is still ...
• Move A Crape Myrtle Tree. ...

When to plant crape myrtle?

What can you plant under a crape myrtle?

• 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.

How far apart should I space my crape myrtle trees?

When grown as shrubs, the plants should be spaced about 5 feet apart. Crape myrtles tend to reseed vigorously and have been reported as invasive in some areas of the southeast.

What is the best month to plant crepe myrtles?

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.

How far should I plant a crape myrtle from fence?

If you are planting against a fence, plant at least three feet from the fence, not right up against it, or your plants will not be bushy right to the ground. For a more solid screen you can even plant a double row, staggering the plants in each row.

Can I plant 2 crepe myrtles together?

Plant multiple crepe myrtles in rows. Space the trees roughly 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) apart to make sure they have plenty of room to reach out as they grow. Larger specimens like Muskogee and Natchez should have as much as 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) between them.

What should I plant between crepe myrtles?

Here are the plants that should grow well beneath your crepe myrtle trees.Columbine. Columbine is a unique flower as it appears to have a bloom within a bloom. ... Lily of the Valley. ... Verbena. ... Hostas. ... Rose of Sharon. ... Hibiscus. ... Daffodil. ... Chrysanthemums.More items...

How quickly do crepe myrtles grow?

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.

Which crape myrtle is the best?

Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.

Do you cut back crepe myrtle bushes?

First of all, pruning crapemyrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow! If you need to prune your crapemyrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the crapemyrtle is the correct method. Remove lower limbs that are thinner than a pencil diameter.

How long does it take for a crepe myrtle to bloom?

3. Bloom time can vary by 6-8 weeks depending on your variety of crape myrtle. Flower blossoms develop on new growth, so while each variety varies in its exact bloom time, flowering can also depend on the pruning you did in winter.

How do I make my crepe myrtle landscape?

3:164:09Crepe Myrtles in the Landscape, Lisa's Landscape & DesignYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's we call that creep murder in my industry you don't cut them back leave them alone if theyMoreThat's we call that creep murder in my industry you don't cut them back leave them alone if they have heavy seed pods cut them back otherwise let them do their thing. And you go do yours.

How do you landscape a crape myrtle?

Plant crepe myrtle in a sunny, well-drained location between late fall and early spring.Plant crepe myrtle as a single tree to create a colorful focal point in the landscape. ... Frame a front door or entrance with a pair of matching crepe myrtles.More items...

Do crape myrtles have deep roots?

Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. 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.

What is the best way to grow crape myrtles?

Add some organic material to the soil as you dig. Almost any kind of organic material is good, among the best are well-rotted animal manure; garden compost; any ‘top-soil’ from a garden center; or peat-moss. A bucket per tree is about right, but less is OK too, Crape Myrtles are tough plants.

How to move a plant around?

Move your plant around by picking up the pot – do not lift it by the trunk or stem.

How to keep a tree from drying out?

The evening before you are going to plant, give the pot a good soaking with water. If the root ball is dry when you plant, it may stay that way and cause your tree to suffer from dryness even if the surrounding soil is damp.

How to plant a tree with no leaves?

If your tree is growing, with green leaves, then leave it in the pot, take a sharp knife and cut around the bottom of the pot and remove the base.

How to keep water from running away from a tree?

Some gardeners like to make a low wall of soil around the tree, at a spot about twice the diameter of the pot, to retain water. This is a fine thing to do, but not absolutely necessary.

Do crape myrtle trees need sun?

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.

Do you need to stake a crape myrtle tree?

Normally staking is not necessary. Modern arborists prefer to let the wind strengthen the tree, and stakes often cause breakage of the upper part of your tree. However, if you want to train your crape myrtle tree into a single stem, then you will need to use a strong stake to support that stem while it is young, and to keep it straight and upright, but after that it should be removed once a small upper crown has developed. The stems of crape myrtle thicken quickly, so watch that the ties do not become too tight.

How big do mini crape myrtles get?

Miniature Crape Myrtles mature from 8"-5', depending on the exact variety of course.

How far away can miniatures be planted?

Miniatures can be planted 1'-2' away from a structure (house, etc).

How much sunlight do crepe myrtles need?

Crepe myrtles need lots of light to flourish. If possible, choose a location that receives a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. An open stretch near the center of your yard or garden is usually the best place to situate a young crepe myrtle.

How to keep crepe myrtle thriving?

Water occasionally during periods of drought to keep your crepe myrtle thriving.

What is a crepe myrtle tree?

Crepe myrtles are summer flowering trees admired for their vibrant pink, red, purple, and white blossoms. Their natural beauty, resilience, and minimal need for tending make them a welcome addition to any yard or garden. Since the trees thrive in warm, humid conditions, they’ll do best in a well-drained patch of soil somewhere they can receive plenty of direct sunlight. Once you’ve planted your crepe myrtles, spread mulch around the base of the trunk to protect against moisture loss, apply a well-balanced fertilizer once a year, and water as needed to keep them producing healthy, flowers when they return each season.

What are the dangers of crepe myrtles?

6. Inspect your crepe myrtle regularly for signs of disease. Powdery mildew, black mold, and leaf spot are a few of the threats that crepe myrtles face once they begin flowering. In most cases, the effects these cause are harmless, and will clear up on their own in time.

How to make a garden bed more hospitable?

Amend dry soil with organic material to make it more hospitable. If the soil you’re growing on is particularly dense or sandy, it may be helpful to mix in a little peat moss or well-rotted manure. These additives help the soil retain key moisture and nutrients. You can also use garden compost or a few handfuls of native plant food, as long as it’s evenly distributed throughout the entire plant bed.

Can crepe myrtles be grown from saplings?

Because of their intensive germination requirements, crepe myrtles headed for home gardens are almost always grown from saplings.

Can you use compost for crepe myrtle?

You can also use garden compost or a few handfuls of native plant food, as long as it’s evenly distributed throughout the entire plant bed. Crepe myrtle has no problem getting by on basic nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, which are found in most commercial fertilizer mixes.

How far apart should I plant crape myrtle trees?

Some people say the proper spacing is 15 feet; others have told me to space them 8 to 10 feet apart.

What should be the proper planting interval for a crape myrtle?

For a semi-dwarf crape myrtle, such as Acoma, what should be the proper planting interval? ANSWER: Spacing plants properly in the landscape is an important part of planting properly, whether planting bedding plants, shrubs or trees. There is no absolute "proper planting interval" for these trees. Spacing is based on the mature size ...

How big do acoma crape myrtles get?

Acoma crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) grow to be about 10 feet tall and wide. Knowing they will be about 10 feet wide at maturity, you can determine how far apart to plant them in your situation to achieve the look you want.

Is there a proper spacing for crape myrtles?

There is no absolute "proper planting interval" for these trees. Spacing is based on the mature size of the plants (in this case, Acoma crape myrtles) and the desired look of the planting.

How tall is a Tuscarora crape myrtle?

"Tuscarora" is a relatively large crape myrtle variety, reaching about 15 feet tall and wide at maturity, when the plant is about 12 years old. When planting in a group or a row, allow 15 feet between specimens to accommodate the mature spread. This planting distance also allows each "Tuscarora" plenty of root room. Major roots grow outward in all directions from the trunk at least as far as the drip line, the imaginary line at ground level that corresponds to the circumference of its crown. The plants also should be at least 7.5 feet from nearby structures.

Can crape myrtles be planted close together?

When planting young crape myrtles, like "Tuscarora," it is tempting to create a sense of fullness by positioning them too close together. Full grown specimens are hard to move, so it is best to avoid the temptation.

Step 1

Be sure of the flower color and the mature size before you plant. Find a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Dig a hole about three times as wide as the root-ball.

Step 2

Place the potted plant in the hole to make sure the hole is large enough. Check that the top of the root-ball is even with surrounding soil, and remove the pot.

Step 3

Fill in around the roots with excavated soil, using your foot to firm it. Spread mulch 2 inches deep over the top. Water thoroughly using a hose, not a sprinkler.

How fast do crape myrtles grow?

Crape myrtles are fast-growing shrubs and trees that can grow at a rate of 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 m) per year. The plant’s rapid growth means these garden shrubs are ideal for developing a colorful garden landscape.

How much sun does a crape myrtle need?

Crape myrtle plants thrive in full sunshine and need at least six hours of sunlight daily. The length of blooming depends on the amount of sun the crape myrtles receive. Although the flowering shrubs can grow in partial shade, they won’t produce as many flowers.

What is the best crape myrtle shrub for borders?

Some of the best miniature crape myrtle shrubs for borders are ‘Delta Blush’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Delta Blush’) and ‘Centennial Spirit’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’).

What is the best hedge for crape myrtle?

Some of the best crape myrtle hedge plants are ‘Catawba’ ( Lager stroemia indica ‘Cataw ba’), and ‘Tonto’ ( Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tonto’).

How many species of crape myrtle are there?

Crape myrtle is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees in the genus Lagerstroemia. There are around 50 species of crape myrtle, and they are famous for their brightly-colored clusters of flowers.

What color do crape myrtles turn?

New leaf growth in spring turns the bushy plants a rich red color. Then in fall, when the leaves change color, the dense shrub foliage turns shades of yellows, oranges, and reds before the leaves drop.

What is the problem with crape myrtle?

Crape myrtles are generally resistant to most garden pests and bugs. The most common problem to afflict the plants are crape myrtle aphids. These tiny yellowish-green sap-sucking insects feed on plant cells and leave behind a sweet, sticky honeydew. This sticky substance encourages black sooty mold on leaves. Also, aphids feeding on young leaves can cause leaf damage and distortion.