Planted a forest of crepe myrtles on south side of house. Love them in winter also for their bark. When stems are pruned, i save them to build a bench.
I also had a freeze that killed mine in Long Island NY quite a few years ago, I cut it all back to the ground thinking it was totally dead. After a few years it came back to life! I wish I’d seen your video before so I’d have known to prepare better!
Hi Austin. This was a great comprehensive info on Crepe Myrtle. Hope you can do another up to date version with Any new variety on the market. I’m interested in planting a semi-dwarf which only gets 8-12 ft tall.
It's a brand but I see now the Proven Winners Center Stage crape myrtles too now, all over in my area. They have a very similar look. @@monicaaltmannnylicensedrea1266
I enjoyed your video and you covered all the areas that I had concerns. What is insane that I bought three Tuscarora Crape Myrtle and the ticket said it will grow 15x15 feet as tall but I am hearing they get 25x20 feet tall as wide. I am glad that I planted them in an area that they can grow freely. Yes, we should make sure we plant Crapes where they need to grow. I will be visiting Bates nursery soon! Thanks
We bought 2 crepe myrtles in South Carolina and brought them to Ky my white one is a tree and my pink one is a bush the white tree died out and my husband cut it down to the ground and it came back beautifully and my pink bush I cut it down in the fall or right before they start producing leaves because if I don't cut them down the limbs die and it makes my bush ugly.
We have Crepe Myrtles that have been planted 2 years ago and are flowering beautifully. Our issue is that the flowers are so heavy and we have had a lot of wind they are bending far down and I am afraid the tree will split. Should I just cut off the heavy flowers? Your video was great..
They will be fine, we haven't heard of crape myrtle stems breaking from their flowers. They naturally have a fountain shape to them from that happening. You certainly can cut the blooms off if you feel, however, at such a young age the stems will get stronger every year.
They develop seed pods at the end of the growing season but modern varieties do not reseed much at all. All purpose tree or plant fertilizer is fine for them. The first two numbers are the most important for growth and blooms respectively.
Good Afternoon, I have 2 red crepe mrytles that I got from a store that they thought was dead. But amazingly they have started sprouting leaves. Can I plant them in the ground now without causing trauma to them.
I planted 4 of them last year around November in Zone 7A and they all came back and put on a ton of growth and blooms this year. Just throw some Biotone Starter fertilizer when you plant, it will provide root growth.
I’m in the Northeast and I have 5 dwarf Crape Myrtle’s on my property, All doing well. I do have an azalea in front of one and is dying due to aphid infestation. I definitely don’t want that transferring to my Crape Myrtle. Will Neem take out the aphids?
Neem oil will not work and could potentially damage the buds. High pressure water spray can take care of most of them. Acephate (systemic) is the most effective killer but also most toxic way to get rid of aphids and any bug that feeds on the blooms could be affected.
Yes, that's the case. We're seeing a Zone 5-6 range for your area, and crape myrtles really like Zone 7 and above (ideally 8-9 to maintain long term mature sizes). For instance, even here in Nashville (Zone 7b) if we get temperatures in the low teens or single digits, we will see partial or complete dieback and the new succor growth has to replace the lost branches.
Yes, though you’ll want to select a dwarf or semi dwarf variety so they won’t get so large. Pay attention to how dry it gets in summer and keep up with watering.
The green sprouts are the recovery. If you don't see new growth above them, then those will eventually reach where the previous stems before. You should cut back the dead wood to let the new growth take its place.
Just a quick question. I love Crepe Myrtles so i bought 5 bareroot varieties of a pink variety. Two of them leafed out but the other three no leafs or growth. The trunks have some green underneath the bark. So i keep watering them and hope for the best. Just wondering why its not leafing out? Thank you for your time.
@@johnny.angels Wow! If you'd like Austin to address it, you can email us at info@batesnursery.com with a good contact (phone or email) and he will follow up. He would need more info and possibly photos to see what might have happened.
@@texaspatty4697 Always check their reviews. Even then you can get something out of the ordinary. Cheap is not always the way to go. Big box stores have a good amount of varieties. Plus a one year guarantee. Plus free shipping. That's a big plus these days.
All the new developments are small to accommodate and appeal to suburban housing where lots are getting smaller and smaller. Sometimes it's best to stick to the tried and true large cultivars like natchez, muskogee, red rocket, tuscarora. They can be amazing with proven hardiness and can get super showy with proper care and pruning technique.
Only one stem has leaves? If it hasn't rained in a while, go ahead and water the plant for a few minutes. Then wait until Spring when it begins to leaf back out. After observing growth, cut to the ground any stems that don't produce new leaves. If succors start to grow, you can encourage those to take their place. Of course, if it doesn't grow at all then it can be considered dead.
Spring is a good time to fertilize! Granular organic fertilizer like Espoma Plant Tone or Tree Tone. Follow label instructions for the amount needed and rake/water into the soil surface.
I have a midnight magic - out of all the dark folliage ones I have - up close these are the most impressive dark leaves, and they have really bright red flowers
I have a Thunderstruck Rumblin’ Ruby Red and it’s very black with an almost glowing red flower. The Double Dynamite looks very black as well. Also the True Red from Black Diamond.
Yes, you can! You might have to keep them pruned back though and water them more frequently. Be sure to look at the tag of each plant to gauge the growth habit, You'll want one that stays 6-10ft tall. They appreciate some fertilizer in late Spring after they leaf out.
Planted a forest of crepe myrtles on south side of house. Love them in winter also for their bark. When stems are pruned, i save them to build a bench.
A bench! Brilliant
Great presentation. Great speaker. 👍
I also had a freeze that killed mine in Long Island NY quite a few years ago, I cut it all back to the ground thinking it was totally dead. After a few years it came back to life! I wish I’d seen your video before so I’d have known to prepare better!
What you did was good - cutting back all the dead growth. The roots just needed time to reestablished. 👍
Wow loved all the info you shared. Thank U. I can't wait to get me some Crape Myrtle :P
Hi Austin. This was a great comprehensive info on Crepe Myrtle. Hope you can do another up to date version with Any new variety on the market. I’m interested in planting a semi-dwarf which only gets 8-12 ft tall.
I just got some 1st edition plum magic .Absolutely love.Twight magic nice.Look at the magic series.
I live in zone 7A NJ, lots of crape myrtles grow and thrive here. My favorite are the Black Diamond crape myrtles.
Zone 7a in Nashville here too, we're always amazed to see Z7 make that turn up the Coastal Plain, so neat!
Is that a color or a brand?
It's a brand but I see now the Proven Winners Center Stage crape myrtles too now, all over in my area. They have a very similar look. @@monicaaltmannnylicensedrea1266
Very informative....I just bought one and I live in zone 6
I am in Southwest Washington - the Pacific Northwest. We are growing zone 8b and they love it here!
Crape myrtle are popular in the DMV. I had a variety in DC and I have a variety in MD now. Very beautiful tough trees
You're right, they are resilient!
@@batesnurserypoolesville yes.
Very good video thanks for being so thorough
I enjoyed your video and you covered all the areas that I had concerns.
What is insane that I bought three Tuscarora Crape Myrtle and the ticket said it will grow 15x15 feet as tall but I am hearing they get 25x20 feet tall as wide.
I am glad that I planted them in an area that they can grow freely.
Yes, we should make sure we plant Crapes where they need to grow.
I will be visiting Bates nursery soon!
Thanks
If there's one sure thing, plants love to grow! Some tags might list the plant's size after 10 years. We all know they can keep growing after that!
Google the mature size
My crepe myrtle has some greenish spots that look like a kind of fungus on the lower part of bark. What is this and how can I get rid of it?
Great information
We bought 2 crepe myrtles in South Carolina and brought them to Ky my white one is a tree and my pink one is a bush
the white tree died out and my husband cut it down to the ground and it came back beautifully and my pink bush I cut it down in the fall or right before they start producing leaves because if I don't cut them down the limbs die and it makes my bush ugly.
We have 3 hardy crape myrtles in Indiana.
That's excellent!
Very dense root system in time. Choose companions that can compete.
We have Crepe Myrtles that have been planted 2 years ago and are flowering beautifully. Our issue is that the flowers are so heavy and we have had a lot of wind they are bending far down and I am afraid the tree will split. Should I just cut off the heavy flowers? Your video was great..
They will be fine, we haven't heard of crape myrtle stems breaking from their flowers. They naturally have a fountain shape to them from that happening. You certainly can cut the blooms off if you feel, however, at such a young age the stems will get stronger every year.
Has Bates produced a video of someone pruning crape myrtles correctly?
We will put that on our to-do list!
Do they have seeds? What type of fertilizer is best for the tree?
They develop seed pods at the end of the growing season but modern varieties do not reseed much at all. All purpose tree or plant fertilizer is fine for them. The first two numbers are the most important for growth and blooms respectively.
Good Afternoon, I have 2 red crepe mrytles that I got from a store that they thought was dead. But amazingly they have started sprouting leaves. Can I plant them in the ground now without causing trauma to them.
Yes, if you can wait just a little longer it's nearing the best time to plant. Cooler temperatures make it easier on the plant to get established!
I planted 4 of them last year around November in Zone 7A and they all came back and put on a ton of growth and blooms this year. Just throw some Biotone Starter fertilizer when you plant, it will provide root growth.
Japanese Beetles are a big problem for several weeks on my Crape Myrtle in zone 6b llinois.
I’m in the Northeast and I have 5 dwarf Crape Myrtle’s on my property, All doing well. I do have an azalea in front of one and is dying due to aphid infestation. I definitely don’t want that transferring to my Crape Myrtle. Will Neem take out the aphids?
Neem oil will not work and could potentially damage the buds. High pressure water spray can take care of most of them.
Acephate (systemic) is the most effective killer but also most toxic way to get rid of aphids and any bug that feeds on the blooms could be affected.
Sad to lose❤
I live in Kansas City, Mo. I just can't grow them, tried twice each time they don't grow back. Is this zone to cold for them to grow
Yes, that's the case. We're seeing a Zone 5-6 range for your area, and crape myrtles really like Zone 7 and above (ideally 8-9 to maintain long term mature sizes). For instance, even here in Nashville (Zone 7b) if we get temperatures in the low teens or single digits, we will see partial or complete dieback and the new succor growth has to replace the lost branches.
Would you suggest them to be grown in between evergreen if I’m putting them on a hedge?
Sounds like that would be a good idea!
Can you plant crape myrtle in planters on the patio?
Yes, though you’ll want to select a dwarf or semi dwarf variety so they won’t get so large. Pay attention to how dry it gets in summer and keep up with watering.
Mine had below zero and the stems except for one looks dead however this spring there are green sprouts now. Will it recover?
The green sprouts are the recovery. If you don't see new growth above them, then those will eventually reach where the previous stems before. You should cut back the dead wood to let the new growth take its place.
Just a quick question. I love Crepe Myrtles so i bought 5 bareroot varieties of a pink variety. Two of them leafed out but the other three no leafs or growth. The trunks have some green underneath the bark. So i keep watering them and hope for the best. Just wondering why its not leafing out? Thank you for your time.
That seems strange. Were they planted in a full-sun area?
@@batesnursery yes they were. Planted at the sametime. During their dormant stage. I am baffled.
@@johnny.angels Wow! If you'd like Austin to address it, you can email us at info@batesnursery.com with a good contact (phone or email) and he will follow up. He would need more info and possibly photos to see what might have happened.
@@johnny.angels This kind of story makes me think that I should only buy my Crepes at a place that offers a warranty/guarantee. For my protection.
@@texaspatty4697 Always check their reviews. Even then you can get something out of the ordinary. Cheap is not always the way to go. Big box stores have a good amount of varieties. Plus a one year guarantee. Plus free shipping. That's a big plus these days.
Are there any new cultivars in the 20’ to 30’ range? It seem like all the new developments are dwarfs.
All the new developments are small to accommodate and appeal to suburban housing where lots are getting smaller and smaller. Sometimes it's best to stick to the tried and true large cultivars like natchez, muskogee, red rocket, tuscarora. They can be amazing with proven hardiness and can get super showy with proper care and pruning technique.
I ended up buying a Miss Frances.
Crepe Myrtle looks dead only one has leaves on it. What should I do?
Only one stem has leaves? If it hasn't rained in a while, go ahead and water the plant for a few minutes. Then wait until Spring when it begins to leaf back out. After observing growth, cut to the ground any stems that don't produce new leaves. If succors start to grow, you can encourage those to take their place. Of course, if it doesn't grow at all then it can be considered dead.
When and how to feed?
Spring is a good time to fertilize! Granular organic fertilizer like Espoma Plant Tone or Tree Tone. Follow label instructions for the amount needed and rake/water into the soil surface.
I am looking to make a hedge out of the crepe what is best?
Dynamite is a bushier cultivar that you can maintain as a hedge, it gets mid-size 12-15ft without pruning.
Which dark foliage tree has the best deep red flowers?
I have a midnight magic - out of all the dark folliage ones I have - up close these are the most impressive dark leaves, and they have really bright red flowers
Check out Ebony Flame, it's a stunner!
I have a Thunderstruck Rumblin’ Ruby Red and it’s very black with an almost glowing red flower. The Double Dynamite looks very black as well. Also the True Red from Black Diamond.
Can you leave a crepe Myrtle in a big pot?
Yes, you can! You might have to keep them pruned back though and water them more frequently. Be sure to look at the tag of each plant to gauge the growth habit, You'll want one that stays 6-10ft tall. They appreciate some fertilizer in late Spring after they leaf out.