Crape myrtles are a summer time favorite for their show stopping array of colors and heights. But dont over look their amazing exfoliating bark. CARE OF CRAPE MYRTLES Crape myrtles are one of the Southeast’s most beautiful small trees and were introduced into the United States in 1747 from China, Korea, and later on from Japan.Their excellent drought resistance, fast growth, beautiful flowers, and low maintenance requirements make them very popular. Many cultivars have superb bark interest and great fall leaf color as well. About their only draw- backs are a tendency to grow suckers at the base that need removing on tree-shaped cultivars, and a tendency for some cultivars to be susceptible to mildew. LOCATION: They are hardy in Zones 7-9, and ideal for Spartanburg. Crape myrtles prefer a hot climate and need full sun to bloom. Select a southern or western exposure whenever possible, for best flowering and to re- duce problems with powdery mildew. PLANTING: Able to survive in almost any type of soil, crape myrtles do best in well-drained locations. For clay soils mix in pea gravel or very finely ground pine bark to improve drainage. Place the tree into a hole dug twice as wide as the root ball, with the top of the root collar (the part where the trunk flares out into the root system) level with, or 1-2” above, ground level. Best times to plant are Fall and early Spring, with Fall being preferred, as the roots will continue to grow during the warmer parts of the dormant seasons. WATERING: For the first season, a newly planted tree from a 5 gallon container needs 10 gallons of water per week, if there is no rain, and preferrably delivered in 2 applications of 5 gallons each. Larger transplants would need more. Water as needed during droughts. Crape myrtles are very drought resistant once established. FERTILIZING: Apply a slow release fertilizer with a 3-1-1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous and potassium. Ex- amples include a 12-4-4 or 18-6-6 fertilizer, applied in late Winter or early Spring as leaves emerge, and again in July. For a 6-10’ tall crape myrtle, 2-3 cups of an 18-6-6 should be applied uniformly beneath the canopy. For a 15-25’ tall tree, 1-2 quarts of fertilizer should be used. Do not fertilize after Labor Day. Note that excessive ni- trogen (runoff from turf fertilizers) can delay flowering and reduce cold hardiness. (ANSI A-300 and International Society of Arboriculture.) MULCHING: A 2-4” deep (maximum) layer of pine bark or hardwood mulch or pine needles around the tree base, spread all the way out to the edge of the tree canopy (the dripline), helps control weeds and conserve moisture. Leave a 4” open space on all sides of the trunks, to avoid stressing stem tissues. Avoid 8-10” tall mulch “volcanoes”, which can provide housing for rodents, cause root rot, and cause adventitious roots (out-of-place roots that grow into the mulch rather than into the ground).
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:47:26 +0000
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