Maintenance Landscaping Design

Crape myrtle shrub is a flowering plant that is native to Asia. The plant has been introduced to North America and Europe, where it is grown as an ornamental plant. The plant is a member of the family Lythraceae, which includes other species of plants such as the American linden (Tilia americana) and the European linden (Tilia cordata).

Popular name

• crape myrtle
  
• myrtle
  
• tree-of-heaven
  
• eucalyptus
  

Common Knowledge

• Crape myrtle shrubs are a popular landscaping choice because of their low maintenance requirements and drought tolerance.
  
• They can be planted in a wide range of soil types and tolerate both full sun and partial shade.
  
• Crape myrtle shrubs come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red.
  
• They bloom from late spring to early fall and are often used as foundation plants or hedges.
  
• Crape myrtle shrubs are relatively pest and disease resistant.
  
• When pruning, it is important to remove any dead or diseased wood and to shape the plant to encourage new growth.
  
• Crape myrtle shrubs can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or division.
  
• They are deer resistant and attract butterflies.
  
• Crape myrtle shrubs are native to Asia and have been cultivated in the United States since the early 1800s.
  
• There are over 30 species and hundreds of cultivars of crape myrtle shrubs.

Related plant:
Crape Jasmine

Growing Steps

1. For crape myrtle shrub, first step is to find a sunny location.
   
2. The second step is to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball.
   
3. The third step is to mix the loosened soil with compost.
   
4. The fourth step is to backfill the hole with the soil mixture, tamping it down as you go.
   
5. The fifth step is to water the plant deeply immediately after planting.
   
6. The sixth step is to mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture.
   
7. The seventh step is to fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season.
   
8. The eighth step is to prune the plant in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
   
9. The ninth step is to monitor the plant for pests and diseases and take appropriate action if needed.
   
10. The tenth and final step is to enjoy your beautiful crape myrtle shrub!

Related plant:
Crape Myrtle

Soil Condition

About soil condition, crape myrtle shrub grows well in a range of soil conditions from loamy to sandy, however it prefers soil that is slightly acidic. The shrub is also tolerant to drought conditions once it is established.

Light requirement

Not too different with other varieties of myrtle, the Crape Myrtle shrub requires full sun in order to thrive. If you live in an area with hot summers, this shrub is a great addition to your landscape. The Crape Myrtle will provide your yard with beautiful color and interest all season long.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for growing a crap myrtle shrub is between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This shrub prefers full sun and well-drained soil. When the temperatures start to become too hot, the leaves of the crap myrtle shrub will start to turn red. If the temperatures get too cold, the leaves will fall off the shrub.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the humidity level drops below 30%, the leaves will start to curl and the plant will become stressed. If the humidity level gets too high, above 70%, the leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant food is very important to the health of your Crape Myrtle. The roots of the Crape Myrtle are very sensitive to changes in the soil, so it is important to keep a close eye on the levels of nutrients in the ground around your plant. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize your Crape Myrtle every six weeks during the growing season, using a fertilizer that contains a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of caring for a crapmyrtle shrub. It helps to keep the plant healthy and looking its best. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Also, trim back any branches that are growing too close to the center of the plant. This will help to keep the plant from becoming too crowded.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is by stem cuttings or by seed. To propagate by stem cuttings, take 6-8" cuttings from new growth in late spring or early summer. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in a well-drained, sterile medium. Keep the cuttings moist but not wet and in bright, indirect light. They should root in 4-6 weeks. Once rooted, pot up the cuttings and grow on in bright light. To propagate by seed, sow seed in a well-drained, sterile medium in late spring or early summer. Keep the seedlings moist but not wet and in bright, indirect light. They should germinate in 4-6 weeks. Once germinated, pot up the seedlings and grow on in bright light.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is considered to be fast. This is especially true when they are young and actively growing. Once they have reached a certain age, however, their growth rate will generally slow down somewhat. Nevertheless, they are still considered to be reasonably fast-growing shrubs in comparison to other plants.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale, powdery mildew, sooty mold and aphids. These pests can cause the leaves to yellow and drop off the plant. The best way to control these pests is to use a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

Tips on Growing

• Make sure to plant your crape myrtle shrub in an area that gets plenty of sunlight.
  
• Crape myrtle shrubs prefer well-drained soil, so make sure your planting area is not boggy or waterlogged.
  
• Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of your crape myrtle shrub.
  
• Gently remove the crape myrtle shrub from its container and place it in the hole.
  
• Backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down gently as you go.
  
• Water your crape myrtle shrub deeply immediately after planting.
  
• Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub, being careful not to pile it up against the trunk.
  
• Water your crape myrtle shrub regularly during the first growing season to help it establish a deep root system.

Related Plants

• Cramp bark (Cramp bark)
  
• Tree of Heaven (Tree of Heaven)
  
• Creeping myrtle (Creeping myrtle)
  
• Black myrtle (Black myrtle)
  
• Bog Myrtle (Bog Myrtle)
  
• Dwarf Hackberry (Dwarf Hackberry)
  
• Swamp Myrtle (Swamp Myrtle)
  
• Wax Myrtle (Wax Myrtle)
  
• Coastal Plain Live Oak (Coastal Plain Live Oak)
  
• Smilax (Smilax)

Source:
Crape Myrtle | University of Redlands
Crape Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica - PNW Plants
Crapemyrtle-The Perfect Texas Landscape Plant