Maintenance Landscaping Design

Crepe myrtle bush is a flowering plant that is native to Asia. The plant is known for its beautiful flowers that bloom in the summer. The crepe myrtle bush is a hardy plant that is easy to care for. The plant does well in full sun and can tolerate drought conditions.

Popular name

• Lagerstroemia indica
  
• Crape myrtle
  
• Crepe myrtle bush
  
• Crepe myrtle tree
  
• Indian crape myrtle

Common Knowledge

• Crepe myrtle bushes are popular ornamental plants in many gardens and landscapes.
  
• These plants are known for their beautiful flowers which bloom in summer and fall.
  
• Crepe myrtle bushes are native to Asia, specifically China and India.
  
• The plants were introduced to North America in the early 1800s.
  
• Crepe myrtle bushes are relatively easy to grow and care for.
  
• These plants are tolerant of periods of drought and heat.
  
• Crepe myrtle bushes can be pruned to shape and control their growth.
  
• These plants are generally free of pests and diseases.
  
• Crepe myrtle bushes add visual interest and color to gardens and landscapes.
  
• Crepe myrtle bushes are Available in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red.

Related plant:
Crepe Jasmine

Growing Steps

1. For crepe myrtle bush, first step is to buy a plant from a nursery or garden center.
   
2. Choose a sunny spot in your yard that has well-drained soil.
   
3. Crepe myrtle bush prefers acidic soil, so if your soil is alkaline, you may need to amend it with sulfur.
   
4. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the plant's root ball and of equal depth.
   
5. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping it down as you go.
   
6. Water the plant deeply.
   
7. Crepe myrtle bush is a drought-tolerant plant, but it will benefit from weekly watering during its first growing season.
   
8. Apply a layer of mulch around the plant, but keep it away from the trunk.
   
9. Fertilize the plant in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
   
10. Prune the plant yearly to shape it and remove any dead or damaged branches.

Related plant:
Crepe Myrtle Shrub

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the crepe myrtle bush prefers well-drained, sandy loam soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The bush is tolerant of drought and salt spray and does not require much fertilizer.

About light

Not too different with other types of myrtle, the crepe myrtle bush thrives in sunny locations. It is important to choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day in order to ensure proper growth and blooming. If your crepe myrtle bush does not receive enough sun, it may become leggy or fail to bloom.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for a crepe myrtle bush is one that is warm, but not too hot. They do best in temperatures that are between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves of the bush will start to droop and the flowers will start to wilt.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. Despite being a hardy plant, they are not drought tolerant and will not survive in low humidity conditions for an extended period of time. If the humidity drops below 30%, the leaves of the crepe myrtle will start to curl and the plant will go into shock.

Fertilizer Requirement

About fertilizer, this family of plant generally does not need much. If you have rich, loamy soil, you are lucky. If your soil is on the sandy side, you may wish to add a little organic matter to help it hold moisture and nutrients. You can also add a little bit of slow-release fertilizer when you plant. When it comes to watering, crepe myrtles like it on the drier side. They are quite drought tolerant once established. However, during prolonged periods of drought, you may need to give them a little supplemental water. As for the roots, they are very deep. So, you don't need to worry about them being too close to the surface.

Light requirement

Pruning your crepe myrtle bush is an important part of keeping it healthy and looking its best. There are a few things to keep in mind when pruning your crepe myrtle. First, you'll want to wait until the bush is dormant, which is usually in the late winter or early spring. Second, you'll want to prune it back to just above where the buds are located. This will encourage new growth and help the bush to stay full and bushy. Finally, don't be afraid to prune away any dead or damaged branches. This will help keep your crepe myrtle bush looking its best.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of crepe myrtle is typically done through rooting softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken from the tips of new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from healthy, new growth that has not yet flowered. The bottom leaves of the cutting should be removed, and the cutting should be placed in a well-draining potting mix. After the cutting has been placed in the potting mix, it should be watered thoroughly. Once the cutting has been watered, it should be placed in a location that receives indirect sunlight.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is relatively fast. Some varieties can grow up to six feet annually when young. Once they reach maturity, however, growth rate slows down to about one to two feet annually.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are aphids, scale, sooty mold, and twig dieback. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that are often found in large numbers on the undersides of leaves. They can cause the leaves to curl and distort, and produce a sticky substance that attracts sooty mold. Scale are small, hard-bodied insects that are often found on the stems and leaves of crepe myrtle bush. They can cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off, and the stems to become stunted. Sooty mold is a black fungus that grows on the honeydew produced by aphids and scale. It can cause the leaves to become black and distorted. Twig dieback is a condition in which the tips of the twigs die back. It is often caused by drought, poor drainage, or winter injury.

Growing Tips

• If you are growing a crepe myrtle bush, make sure to provide full sun and well-drained soil.
  
• Crepe myrtles are tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but prefer sandy loam or clay loam soils.
  
• Avoid planting in poorly drained soils, as this can lead to root rot.
  
• It is important to provide adequate water to crepe myrtles during the first year after planting. Once established, they are relatively drought tolerant.
  
• fertilize crepe myrtles in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
  
• prune crepe myrtles in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
  
• Crepe myrtles can be susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including aphids, scale, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
  
• To help prevent problems, choose resistant varieties and avoid over-fertilizing and over

Related Plants

• Tree
  
• Hickory
  
• Magnolia
  
• Willow
  
• Maple
  
• Birch
  
• Ash
  
• Elm
  
• Alder
  
• Cottonwood

Source:
Crape Myrtle | University of Redlands
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia 'Pocomoke' (Crepe Myrtle) | North Carolina …