The Do’s and Dont’s for the Crape Myrtle Lover
“If you are going to tell someone something…. Tell them something they want to know..”

With that being said, I thought my first informative article would be on something that might benefit a wide variety of garden enthusiasts. The tree I would like to address in this article is the ever popular crape myrtle. Take a look around the next time you are out and about -there is almost one in every yard, or at the very least a dozen on every block. Endemic to Asia, Crape Myrtles are now a signature inclusion to landscapes of the southern United States. Known as one of the hardiest specimens to the horticultural society, even though they prefer a well-drained soil, they are well adapted to tolerate drought, and can thrive in a wide range of soil types, from sandy loam to a heavy clay soil. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe I have ever seen a dead crape myrtle… period.

Aside from hardiness, the majestic Crape Myrtle is an excellent choice for other reasons. Think about this: What other tree out there can provide you with so many choices of vibrant colors to compliment your landscape palette? Whether your house is a dark brick, two-story home on the west side of town, or a pink, one-bedroom shack on the south-side of town, there is a Crape Myrtle that can compliment your yard to suit your taste. No matter what ward you live in, and no matter what your financial portfolio says about you, with proper care your yard can look as good as any in the city, and the Crape Myrtle is always a fine addition.

I have come up with a list of do’s and don’ts to keep your Crape Myrtle full of blooms in the sulky hot summer sun of South Arkansas and North Louisiana.

1. Planting your Crape Myrtle. Crape Myrtle placement is very important for many reasons. No matter if it is used as a foundation plant or as an accent, this wonderful burst of color need be placed strategically as a key to your landscaping plan. Although hardy and well-suited to a variety of different conditions, there are certain things to remember if you want to get the most out of your Crape Myrtle. For one, too much shade can inhibit flowering. Flowers usually appear around midsummer and will last up until the fall, so it is important to choose a sunny spot, as this will insure a more beautiful display. While problems such as disease and insects are few and far between, good air circulation can help eliminate these possibilities altogether. Placed in this manner, the Crape Myrtle can provide a point of beautiful interest from all sides, with bloom abounding in every direction. They also prefer an acidic soil, so if yours happen to be alittle bit on the limey side, adding pine needles to the compost can help drive the pH down, and help to further achieve optimal growing conditions.

2. Fertilizing your Crape Myrtle. Fertilizing your crape is one of two most important parts in promoting long lasting colorful blooms that are sure to draw the eye of the passerby. I suggest the spring treatment of an all purpose fertilizer such as 13-13-13. Applying about a cup around the drip line will insure the full potential of the color you have selected in your crape.

3. Pruning your Crape Myrtle. While pruning is important, it is more important to first understand the reasons why. You should only prune to thin out excess growth, to shape, or to remove dead and brittle branches. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. If you don’t take anything away from this article, please remember this: Just because your neighbor is out in the yard trimming their Crape Myrtle, don’t jump the gun on trimming yours. In our zone (Zone 8), it is not wise to trim before February, so I tend to begin my trimming around early March. The reason being is that it is a known fact that pruning promotes growth. If you prune too early in this crazy, down-south weather we have been having lately, possible new growth maybe onset by our sudden shifts in temperature, leaving the cuts susceptible to those dreaded late frosts and stunning the blooms for the upcoming summer. The good thing, though, is that if this happens, don’tworry… thanks to the hardiness of this species, you will still have blooms, they just wont be as full and vibrant. Next, it is important to be mindful of how to prune your Crape Myrtle.

I’m sorry if half of the crape myrtles in this city are trimmed wrong, but it‘s a fact. This is my #1 pet peeve! The cities budget allows for it’s municipal landscape to be manicured by workers who are here to pay off fines and could care less what the tree looks like when it blooms, or even if it blooms at all. If you find yourself riding around looking at other Crape Myrtles that have been trimmed to get an idea on how to trim yours… don’t. Save your gas, because chances are they are not pruned right anyway.

I’m going to tell you how to trim them the right way, and why this way is so important. There are reasons that you should trim Crape Myrtles certain ways other than to control the height. Improper pruning can lead to a significant decrease in the maximum amount of blooms, and can likewise affect the tensile strength of the branches. The following is an illustration of how a Crape Myrtle should be trimmed:

Trim at least 4 - 6 inches above the knuckle, as this allows for support of the new growth and maximum bloom capacity. This is the proper way to prune your Crape Myrtle. Remember to prune away all horizontal twiggy growth along the main branches. If the tree has suckers around the base make sure you clip these off too.

I hope this article has been of some help to you, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask via email at contact@oasishorticulturalconcepts.com , or by using the contact link at the top of the our web page.




Charles R. Ham
Owner of OHC