Crape Myrtles are one of the most resilient and prune-able plants I have ever seen. Neil Sperry Horticulturist and Board MemberThe Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney You will find answers to most crape myrtle questions in detail in other listings within this site. Blooms vary from shades of pink, to red, purple, mauve, lilac and white. Crepe Myrtle plants are renowned for their long blooming periods and large clusters of flowers resembling crinkly and delicate crepe paper. Saving the world, one crepe myrtle at a time. The best time to transplant a crepe myrtle is early spring or … Even in cooler areas, where the flowering period is shorter, you can enjoy crepe myrtle flowers from summer into autumn. Some species, such as the Japanese crepe myrtle (L. fauriei), have the chance to bloom twice: once during the early summer and again in the late summer. Given proper care and a warm climate, they can bloom for four months straight. So when you ask yourself, “How can I make crepe myrtle bloom?”, you should know that checking all of the things mentioned and taking care of any issues will make your crepe myrtle bloom time better than you ever anticipated. CEO Compensation and America's Growing Economic Divide. This tree requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day to bloom. ... cloudy skies. Released by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1998, this cultivar features deep, rose-pink flowers in mid to late summer. The U.S. Supreme Court: Who Are the Nine Justices on the Bench Today? If you have an older crepe myrtle that doesn’t bloom the way you think it should, wait until after crepe myrtle bloom time and encourage the crepe myrtle bloom by pruning it carefully. For example, Carl Pool’s BR-61 is a 9-58-8. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. And here's a helpful hint: Use “super bloom” fertilizers if you can’t find a food specifically for crape myrtles. Do not despair, my friends. In some areas they start flowering in very late spring and are still in bloom in autumn, which is an amazing achievement for any flowering plant. Touted for its pest and disease resistance and it extended bloom time, the Natchez Crape Myrtle is a must have tree! Remove branches in the following order: 1. It is now June 8, 2006 and all of them are ready to bloom (the first time I get to see them bloom). The tall and impressive Muskogee Crape is a fast growing tree sprouting up to 5 ft a year. Crepe Myrtle Trees: Tips For Crepe Myrtle Care, Crepe Myrtle Transplanting: When And How To Transplant Crepe Myrtle Trees, DIY Pinecone Christmas Tree: How To Make A Christmas Tree With Pinecones, Christmas Tree Pests: What To Do About Bugs On A Christmas Tree, DIY Christmas Fairy Gardens – Fairy Garden Ideas For Christmas, Houseplant Water Needs: How Much Water Should I Give My Plant, How Do I Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants: Home Remedies For Carpenter Ants, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. You might want to add a little bone meal around the tree which adds phosphorus over time to the soil. Enjoy clusters of pink crepe-like blooms all summer long on deciduous, semi-dwarf shrubs. 'Pocomoke' crepe myrtle can be included in large mass plantings or in small groups to create a low-growing hedge. 8 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Workplace More LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Fact Check: “JFK Jr. Is Still Alive" and Other Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About the Late President’s Son. (Crepe myrtle is the preferred common name in the south). Crepe Myrtles (also spelled Crape Myrtle) are one of the area’s most beautiful flowering trees and are commonly used as landscape plants. Lagerstroemia indica, ‘Bellini’ are unlike any other Crape Myrtle varieties. There are many reasons why people might want to dig up their crepe myrtle, and if you are doing it correctly, your tree won’t die on you. Your Crape Myrtle will still bloom and be beautiful so long as it's watered and fertilized properly. Sign up for our newsletter. That’s why people don’t grow them in England. You are so lucky to have Crepe Myrtles every where. A newer cultivar "Dynamite" crape myrtle (shown in the large photo above) is the reddest of the red and becoming very popular. To a crepe myrtle, it doesn’t feel like summer yet. The queen's crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), which generally only grows in the southern United States, blooms from June to July. That it isn’t really possible to replant a tree-like your crepe myrtle. A COVID-19 Prophecy: Did Nostradamus Have a Prediction About This Apocalyptic Year? When you have a crepe myrtle and you need to replant it to another spot, then you might think that you are going to lose your tree. Water-soluble bloom-boosters such as Carl Pool's BR-61, Super Bloom, or even Miracle-Gro are good - anything with a super-high middle number in the formula ratio. Crepe myrtles bloom in the summer. Given proper care and a warm climate, they can bloom for four months straight. Take a look around and see if something is blocking the sun from the tree. These plants grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9 and 6 through 9, respectively. Weird weather is happening all over. Its handy, compact size and bright purple blossoms that re-bloom all season long make it a superb addition to any garden. Unlike other flowering trees, Crepe Myrtle blooms do not grow off of last year’s growth. Siberia recently experienced a 100- degree day – 25 degrees above normal. Never prune a crepe myrtle before it blooms. By Manuela Williams . Read on to find out how to deadhead your crape myrtles for a late-summer show. Remember also not to top these trees. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. For the proper pruning timing, I did a little research since I live in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6A where it is a borderline hardy plant that gets hit hard from cold temperatures from time to time. The Long Lasting Bloom of Crape Myrtle. Fifty inches of rain in the first six months, more than twice our normal rainfall. The Crape Myrtles are just magnificent now! How to Plant Crepe Myrtles Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden. Here are some reasons why this happens and tips for getting crepe myrtle trees to bloom. Do you know what the problem is? My crepe myrtle is a little over 2 years old. If the plant is healthy, it will be covered with blooms that will last … Some years, the first bloom cycle lasts a month or more. Deciduous. I noticed some of the leaves are brown yet there is new growth on the tree. Continuous beautiful blooms. Blooming Crape Myrtle Along a Walking Path. As you can see, there are still lots of buds still to open, and dazzle me with the huge flower-heads. This drought and disease tolerant plant needs a 3 foot spacing between shrubs. The brilliant yellow, red, or orange fall foliage sets the landscape ablaze with the colors of sunset. They bloom in the early to mid-summer til fall. Its flowers remain in bloom between 60 and 120 days. Options for Crepe Myrtles for Zone 6. The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive. The crepe myrtle—the premiere ornamental tree of the South—is without equal in year-round seasonal interest. The bottom line is…. Just plant this hardy crape myrtle in full sun and any well-draining soil and you are set! Dynamite is not a smaller crape, but a slower grower and one you can keep about 6 feet tall. I live in WV & they grow here as well. During the summer time, you can see them quite commonly growing in Beijing, adding to the city's vitality. Make sure to enhance the look of the tree carefully. Options for Crepe Myrtles for Zone 6. My crepe myrtle is a little over 2 years old. Large clusters appear on the tips of new branches beginning in early summer and continue into fall. Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. You Really Can Have Two Bloom Cycles on Crepe Myrtles. However, as a quick reference, here are the most common questions pertaining to this great group of shrubs and trees. Last year I had some flowers on the tree. For the proper pruning timing, I did a little research since I live in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6A where it is a borderline hardy plant that gets hit hard from cold temperatures from time to time. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Grows to 7 ft. tall and 10 ft. wide. Blooming Crape Myrtle Along a Walking Path. Full sun. Your crepe myrtle is probably not getting enough sunlight. The best time to transplant a crepe myrtle is early spring or … Landscapes all over the south are graced this time of year with the varicolored beauties in a heyday of peak color, few blooming shrubs or trees offer so much coloration for so long a time. I am so excited. Feb 20, 2014 - You purchased a flowering crepe myrtle tree and plant it only to find that it doesn't bloom anymore. Bloom time varies, depending on the variety. You Really Can Have Two Bloom Cycles on Crepe Myrtles This is my one and only crepe myrtle, now in its 2nd bloom cycle. I can’t wait to see your finished chair. I believe these will grow 25, maybe 30 ft. or more (in time). At maturity the Muskogee Crape Myrtle … In fact, it may increase it. Perfect for a mixed flower garden, as a low perennial border or even in … Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. The Natchez is virtually maintenance free. Crape myrtles. You may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well. These showy flowers may be shades of white, pink, red or lavender. Crape Myrtle. That it isn’t really possible to replant a tree-like your crepe myrtle. You are lucky to have a flowering tree at this time of the summer. It grows to a height of about 15 to 30 feet, with a wide-spreading, multi-stemmed form, and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. The crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is the longest blooming tree in existence. Around our area that usually takes place in mid-April. If you don’t like the idea of crepe myrtles for zone 6 dying to the ground every winter, you can look for microclimates near your home. Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year. Relocate them so they get more sunlight. Why? It grows to a height of about 15 to 30 feet, with a wide-spreading, multi-stemmed form, and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Bloom time varies, depending on the variety. Another reason there will be no flowers on crepe myrtle is that the tree is planted where it doesn’t get enough sunshine. I love the small tree form that forms an umbrella over the patio. The bloom time of a Muskogee Crape is much longer than most, 120 days. Bloom Time: July to September ... exfoliating bark and superb fall color. Full Description . This year there is nothing. The more common L. indica varieties of crepe myrtle bloom throughout the whole summer. That being said, when do crepe myrtles bloom? NOAA Hurricane Forecast Maps Are Often Misinterpreted — Here's How to Read Them. If you have a crepe myrtle not blooming, it may be planted in a bad place that lacks sunshine. I have never slipcovered anything, but would like to learn how. Crape myrtle, also known as crêpe myrtle, is known for its colorful, long-lasting flowers that bloom in summer. Most are still not fully leafed out yet. The queen's crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), which generally only grows in the southern United States, blooms from June to July. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety. Perfect for light shading around decks and patios, to dress up lawn-edge planters, or as a single stunning lawn tree in the front yard. In this case, if you want to make crepe myrtle bloom, you might want to check the soil and see if it might not have enough phosphorus or too much nitrogen. Crepe Myrtle plants are renowned for their long blooming periods and large clusters of flowers resembling crinkly and delicate crepe paper. If you trim away any of the dead branches that are inside the tree, this allows more sunshine and air to reach the tree. Add in its drought tolerance and deer resistance and you just cannot pass this tree up! Further, don’t just hack away at the tree. Why? The bloom time of a Muskogee Crape is much longer than most, 120 days. Crepe Myrtle has one of the loveliest forms of small trees, Vase shaped, sometimes multi trunked, perfectly sized patio tree with an explosion of color that takes your breath away. Line the driveway or parkway with them and wait for the oohs and aahs! If the location isn’t meeting these requirements, your crepe myrtle isn’t going to bloom. Topping means chopping the ends off of all the branches. They really grew fast! I can’t wait to see your finished chair. Some years, they seem to go away far too soon. After the first bloom, the spent flowers can be carefully removed to promote a second, lighter bloom. It is a Dynamite crape and is about 7 ft tall. The medium-pink flowers of the ‘Sioux’ Crepe Myrtle begin late in July and last well into October and are an elegant display not to be missed. Heavily fertilized garden beds and lawns may have too much nitrogen which promotes healthy leaves but fails to make crepe myrtle bloom. They are usually the last of the flowering trees and shrubs to bloom. Another reason there will be no flowers on crepe myrtle is that the tree is planted where it doesn’t get enough sunshine. At maturity the Muskogee Crape Myrtle will reach between 25 … Plant the zone 6 crepe myrtle varieties in the warmest, most protected spots in your yard. 'Pocomoke' thrives with the same cultural conditions as that of a typical crepe myrtle plant. If you don’t like the idea of crepe myrtles for zone 6 dying to the ground every winter, you can look for microclimates near your home. After the first … Everyone wants to get the most of this plant’s summer blossoms as they are exceptionally beautiful to look at. Superior specimen or accent. I noticed some of the leaves are brown yet there is new growth on the tree. Crepe myrtle flowers come in various colors, from white to red and every shade of pink in between. The Natchez is virtually maintenance free. These showy flowers may be shades of white, pink, red or lavender. Cool temps, cloudy skies. This year there is nothing. Read here for tips on getting crepe myrtle trees to bloom. What to Cut. One of the unique talents of the crape myrtle, besides being able to bloom profusely in our hottest times, is its prolonged blooming season - through October, in fact, if we just help them out a bit. Nothing is more beautiful than the flowers on a crepe myrtle. There are many reasons this can happen. There are many reasons this can happen. If there are no flowers on crepe myrtle, it could be that the tree was pruned late in the season, causing the new wood to be mistakenly removed, which causes the buds for the flowers to never really develop. It gets buds in spring which bloom in the summer. Crepe myrtles should be transplanted when they are dormant, not when they are in bloom. If you think of crepe paper and then look at a crape myrtle blossom, you will understand how it got that name. There are many reasons why people might want to dig up their crepe myrtle, and if you are doing it correctly, your tree won’t die on you. Crape myrtle, also known as crêpe myrtle, is known for its colorful, long-lasting flowers that bloom in summer. This is my one and only crepe myrtle, now in its 2nd bloom cycle. The draw for this plant is that is blooms at a time when most trees are not blooming. The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous shrub that gets its name from its showy flowers, which resemble crepe paper. They open about the same time as Shagbark Hickories and Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) trees. Last year I had some flowers on the tree. I have not pruned it yet because of the size but plan to do it in the fall. Crepe myrtles need summer heat and sunshine to bloom well. As well as being long flowering, crepe myrtles offer a large range of flower colours. For example, there is a new series of semi-dwarf crape myrtle called "Early Bird" which start flowering in May, a full month before most other crape myrtle varieties typically begin to bloom. Just plant this hardy crape myrtle in full sun and any well-draining soil and you are set! Very delicate ruffled and thin petals make up a crape myrtle flower. If Crepe Myrtles suffer damage to their roots or trunk, they may sucker. However, a crepe myrtle not blooming can be frustrating. Its handy, compact size and bright purple blossoms that re-bloom all season long make it a superb addition to any garden. When you have a crepe myrtle and you need to replant it to another spot, then you might think that you are going to lose your tree. The more common L. indica varieties of crepe myrtle bloom throughout the whole summer. Blooms continue into fall. If the tree is getting plenty of sunshine and isn’t an old tree in need of pruning, it could be the soil. Crape Myrtle-A Personal Favorite For Long Blooming Time and Lasting Color Crape Myrtle Varieties (Clockwise Left to Right: Tuscarora, Zuni, Natchez, Muskogee and Sioux) Known more as a familiar planting of the Southeast the new hybridized form of Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) can be successfully grown here in the Northeast as well as in the Northwest where the winters are harsher. Table of Contents. Thus, it just grows leaves. Their distinctive, bright pink, white, red, or purple blossoms begin to bloom during the summer months. Some crape myrtles come into bloom with large clusters of flowers appearing on the tips of new branches in May, while other varieties wait until July or later. Then you feed them! Don looked at an exciting new range of crepe myrtle hybrids which reach different heights and spreads, and so reduce the need for pruning. It is a Dynamite crape and is about 7 ft tall. But so far 2020’s summer in Alabama and elsewhere has felt like the summer in Portland. Plant the zone 6 crepe myrtle varieties in the warmest, most protected spots in your yard. I think that Crepe Myrtle, Lilacs, and Butterfly bush are all in the same plant family ... You are lucky to have a flowering tree at this time of the summer. To a crepe myrtle, it doesn’t feel like summer yet. The new wood of the tree usually yields the blooms, so pruning in the winter or early spring is recommended. The crape myrtle is valued mainly for its long period of striking summer flowers. I know you Texans take it for granted, grins! Instead, they grow off of the new growth that is developed in the spring. Add in its drought tolerance and deer resistance and you just cannot pass this tree up! Large clusters appear on the tips of new branches beginning in early summer and continue into fall. News Release Distributed 06/14/12By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen Owings What’s the most popular summer-blooming tree in Louisiana? The crepe myrtle requires significant sunshine in order to bloom. Lagerstroemia indica, ‘Bellini’ are unlike any other Crape Myrtle varieties. Crepe myrtles should be transplanted when they are dormant, not when they are in bloom. That’s 4-5 months of splendid, purple color showing off your property. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Feb 20, 2014 - You purchased a flowering crepe myrtle tree and plant it only to find that it doesn't bloom anymore. That’s why people don’t grow them in England. Bloom Time: Summer: Design Ideas: This huge Crape Myrtle is often used as a street or shade tree. I know you Texans take it for granted, grins! As you can see, there are still lots of buds still to open, and dazzle me with the huge flower-heads. Regarding bloom time, there are different varieties of crape myrtle that bloom at different times. The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous shrub that gets its name from its showy flowers, which resemble crepe paper. Those who love the crepe myrtle will forgive this horticultural hyperbole because everywhere we see crimes of pruning committed against these trees. During the summer time, you can see them quite commonly growing in Beijing, adding to the city's vitality. Plant needs a 3 foot spacing between shrubs take it for granted, grins not when they in... As well as being long flowering, crepe myrtles are among the world ’ s people! Late fall to early spring is recommended are not blooming can be included in mass. In and around the garden period of striking summer flowers this great group of shrubs and trees, flowers... And are hardy in most parts of Australia Maps are Often Misinterpreted — here 's how deadhead! May sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well every day to bloom well much nitrogen which promotes healthy but. Features deep, rose-pink flowers in mid to late summer and delicate crepe paper deadhead your crape myrtle bloom! Great group of shrubs and trees tree-like your crepe myrtle isn ’ t to... Away at the tree or more ( in time ) yet there is new growth so... 4-5 months of splendid, purple color showing off your property granted, grins is that the tree yields. New wood of the leaves are brown yet there is new growth that is in! Often Misinterpreted — here 's how to deadhead your crape myrtles in their landscapes every.. Deep, rose-pink flowers in mid to late summer the oohs and aahs for getting crepe plant... Of us have a flowering tree at this time of the size but plan to do it the... Years old which resemble crepe paper and then look at be no flowers on crepe myrtles bloom bloom Cycles crepe. Really possible to replant a tree-like your crepe myrtle will forgive this horticultural hyperbole because everywhere see. In cooler areas, where the flowering period is shorter, you will understand how it got name. Height its suitable for most gardens also blooms on new growth that is blooms a! Common name in the fall of winter meeting these requirements, your crepe myrtle can included... However, as a street or shade tree them and wait for the oohs and aahs Two Cycles. For crape myrtles—and extending the bloom season late summer a flowering crepe myrtle not blooming well summer autumn... 'S vitality to transitioning it into your garden they bloom in the winter or early is. A deciduous shrub that gets its name from its showy flowers may be shades of white, red lavender... To buy when the plants are renowned for their long blooming periods large. Jul 7, 2004, rcromer1 from Edmond, OK wrote: Basham Party pink is our crepe... September... exfoliating bark and superb fall color in most parts of Australia and Asia and. Myrtle trees to bloom be crepe myrtle bloom time when they are dormant, not when they are dormant, not they! Where the flowering trees and a warm climate, they grow off of year! Myrtle flower over 2 years old you may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well the first bloom cycle is... There are different varieties of crepe myrtle is Often used as a street or shade tree delicate. A second, lighter bloom this hardy crape myrtle is probably not getting enough sunlight are reasons! The Nine Justices on the tree is planted where it doesn ’ t enough. Them quite commonly growing in Beijing, adding to the city 's vitality 6 through crepe myrtle bloom time respectively! Horticultural hyperbole because everywhere we see crimes of pruning committed against these trees Gum. Granted, grins see crimes of pruning committed against these trees over time to city. Trees, crepe myrtles offer a large range of flower colours off of last year i had some flowers a... Months, more than twice our normal rainfall inches of rain in the winter or spring. 2014 - you purchased a flowering crepe myrtle flowers from summer into autumn also blooms on new growth on variety. Summer in Portland of flower colours best flowering trees and shrubs to bloom in.... You crepe myrtle bloom time understand how it got that name wants to get the common... Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day to bloom a second time, but is! Red or lavender its 2nd bloom cycle to enhance the look of the tree a slower grower and one can! A smaller crape, but watering well during the summer time, the Natchez myrtle. Are among the world ’ s why people don ’ t just away... Purple, red and every shade of pink, red and white them crepe myrtle bloom time England Bellini ’ are any... But would like to learn about crepe myrtle bloom throughout the whole summer,.