Q&A for How to Grow Crepe Myrtle

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How can I revive my droopy and dry tree?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Water it when it’s dry. If you live in a dry environment, your tree may not be an appropriate choice. Crepe myrtles thrive in humid environments.

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Question

My crepe myrtle has foliage but it's not showing any buds. What can I do to get it to grow?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Your crepe myrtle is probably not getting enough sunlight. This tree requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day to bloom. If the location isn’t meeting these requirements, your crepe myrtle isn’t going to bloom. Relocate them so they get more sunlight.

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All the leaves on my young crepe myrtle are red. Is this normal?

Community Answer

Yes. There are many variations of color for crepe myrtle trees. Though not as common as the other mostly pink colors, a red color is nothing to worry about.

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My crepe myrtle, three years old, hasn't flowered. Could you suggest why this might be?

Community Answer

Avoid performing "crepe murder." This practice involves chopping away all the stems to an even height, leaving nothing but stubs. When such severe pruning occurs, it can cause bunchy growth and branches that are weak, knobby, and spindly. Such branches won't flower. Other things to check include position (too shady or sunny maybe), water amounts and whether there might be any pests.

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Is it all right to arrange rocks around the tree?

Community Answer

Rocks around the tree won't hurt it. In fact, it will keep the soil moist during dry spells as the rocks block the sun, which lessens evaporation.

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Question

How far apart should I plant my crepe myrtle plants?

Community Answer

Because adult crepe myrtles usually grow to have a 20 foot radius, it would be recommended to plant them about 15-20 feet apart.

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When will a crepe myrtle bloom?

Community Answer

Crepe myrtle trees start blooming in early June if first properly fertilized. The best fertilizer product is the Jobe Tree Spikes.

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What species would you recommend to "entwine together" to end up with one tree blooming two colors?

Community Answer

You can put two, three or four colors together and then tie them together for a while. Then untie them and let them go, then tie them together again and leave them like that. When spring comes, undo them and leave them like that for a while. When you retie them, do it at a different spot. When you put three to four together, they look nice but make sure that they all are the same height, fully grown and disease-free.

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How long does it take to grow from seedling to maturity?

Community Answer

18 years sometimes. Some are not mature until they are at least 50. Some never mature.

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Do crepe myrtle plants lose their leaves in the winter?

Community Answer

No. At least they don't in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It freezes here occasionally. Mostly we have a fairly mild climate.

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Why is my myrtle only growing from the roots?

Community Answer

If you live in a cooler zone, a myrtle will die back to the roots every year. They will come up again the next year and bloom later in the season.

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Should I remove the bark that is peeling off or wait for it to fall off on its own?

Community Answer

You can do either one. It just depends on your preference. However, do not remove any bark that is not loose and peeling.

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Why are the leaves on my Black Diamond crepe turning red?

Community Answer

That is normal; mine does the same thing every year. They will darken in time.

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Can a Crepe Myrtle tree take wet ground?

Community Answer

No, and high winds will make it fall out of the ground even at 20 feet tall. I just lost one of mine and it was because the ground was wet and unstable but I have sand for soil.

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What should I do if my crepe myrtle leaves are thinning out?

Community Answer

You should ask the seed seller (if you bought it from one), and they'll likely say you should leave it for a few days. If it keeps happening, then trim them.

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Is it normal for trees to flower in the sunlight, but lose their blooms in the shade?

Community Answer

Yes. Some trees love to soak up the sunlight and lose their leaves and blossoms in the shade. It depends on the tree.

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Should I cut off new growth at the base of my crepe myrtle?

Community Answer

Yes, you should always prune off the shoots on the bottom of the tree, otherwise they will rob too much energy from the blooms.

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