Planting and Growing Crape Myrtles

Crape Myrtles Love Full Sun and Good Drainage

• Start by selecting a suitable location for your crape myrtle, ensuring it receives full sun for at least six hours a day.
• Dig a hole that is approximately 12-24 inches wide, ensuring it is wide enough to accommodate the root ball of the plant.
• Remove the soil from the hole and discard it.
• You may not have to discard your soil. Although crape myrtles will thrive in a variety of different soils, we want to ensure the absolute best start.
• Fill the hole with a high-quality, peat moss and bark based, well-draining potting soil. Perlite and Vermiculite are just fine and help with aeration. It may or may not contain slow-release fertilizer. If it does, it's in very small amounts and is perfectly fine. Avoid using garden soil, pure compost or pure peat moss as it tends to be heavy and may impede proper drainage.
• Optional: Mix in about a tablespoon of slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote. This is not required, but it wouldn't hurt if you know your soil quality is poor.

• Carefully remove the crape myrtle from its container and gently loosen the roots. Just give them a little tickle. It's ok if there are lots of roots. Crape myrtles DO NOT suffer any damage or stunting from being "root bound."
• Place the crape myrtle in the hole, ensuring that it is planted at the same level as it was in the container. Backfill the hole with the prepared potting soil, firming it gently around the roots.
• Pack firmly, but do not stomp on it. The soil will naturally settle as time goes by.
• Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. This mulch will help retain moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperature.
• Thoroughly water the plant after planting to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Watering is crucial for the establishment of the crape myrtle.

How Often Should I Water?

Watering is very location specific. A newly planted Crape Myrtle in Arizona is going to require a different watering schedule than one planted in Washington. Here are simple guidelines and tips to help keep your new plants perfectly hydrated.

Crape myrtles love water, but they don't like wet feet! So it's important to give them a chance to drain in between.

• Crape myrtles require regular watering during their initial establishment period. However, it is essential to provide proper drainage to prevent waterlogged conditions.
• Water the crape myrtle deeply, allowing the water to penetrate the root zone. Avoid frequent shallow watering, as it encourages shallow root growth.
• After watering, allow the soil to drain and partially dry out before watering again. Crape myrtles prefer moist but well-drained soil and do not tolerate constantly wet feet (roots).
• During the first 4-6 weeks after planting, water the crape myrtle 2-3 times a week to ensure adequate moisture for root development. This is especially important if you're in a hot, dry climate.
• Once the crape myrtle is established, it becomes more drought-resistant and requires less frequent watering. Water deeply but less frequently, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions.
• Monitor weather conditions and adjust watering frequency accordingly, providing more water during hot and dry periods.
• It is important to note that, although uncommon (crape myrtles are pretty tough), overwatering can lead to root rot and other diseases, while underwatering can result in stress and reduced blooming.

Should I Stake my Tree?

Your new crape myrtle should be strong enough to stand upright on its own. But if you're worried about wind and rain then you can certainly stake it upright if you'd like.

• You can use the single stake method. It's the easiest and fastest way to a little support.
• For more stability, place 2-3 stakes around the plant as opposed to a single stake by the trunk. Although a single stake certainly won't harm the tree's roots, more than one stake provides extra stability. But if you only have one stake, so be it!
• If you live in a windy area, triple staking works great. The tree is supported from three sides and will be able to withstand a lot more abuse. This is ideal if you're worried about a storm.
• Use jute twine, plant tape or specialty tree straps to connect your tree to the stakes. Flexibility and the ability to disintegrate overtime, in addition to being gentle on your new tree is ideal.
• Staking a young plant with heavy flower clusters will help prevent breakage. Sometimes the flower clusters are so huge that when wet they will bend and snap after a good rain. Although this breakage won't hurt the plant (it's just going to branch and become thicker), you might lose that giant flower cluster.
• Micro-Minis, Miniatures and Dwarfs typically don't need staking. They've been bred to stay compact and bushy, so you normally don't need to bother with staking them upright.
• Crape myrtles are always going to grow towards the sun. Even if you have a plant bent in half for some reason (storm, etc), it will eventually right itself without help. Also, keep this in mind when planting: place your plant in an area that will receive full sun, as to not have it lean one way during the active growing season.

*Crape myrtles root extremely fast, so staking isn't a necessity. But if you need too, follow the simple recommendations above.*

• Crape myrtles grow best where sun loving grass grows.
• Do Not plant your new crape myrtle in an area that gets standing water for more than a day in the rainy season.
• Prune your crape myrtle during the late winter or early spring to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering.
• Apply a balanced slow-release Fertilizer in early spring, following the package instructions, to provide essential nutrients for optimal growth and blooming.
• Monitor your crape myrtle regularly for signs of Pests or Diseases and take appropriate measures to address any issues promptly.

By following these proper planting and watering guidelines, you can ensure the healthy establishment and long-term success of your crape myrtles, allowing them to flourish and beautify your landscape.