Crepe Myrtles with the Garden Guru - Care and Maintenance

[@drinny26]

I live in souther New York just outside of the city and lots of crape myrtles here. I have two! My neighbor has 3. My town planted them along the street. Love them!

[@fannieallen6005]

Your video explains better than any I have seen. Thanks

[@jackriley7967]

Can you please give us a list of the products you recommended.

[@bebetaylor3547]

This is THE QUINTESSENTIAL tutorial on Crepe Myrtles !!!!! THANK YOU! I’ll be saving this this video for future reference. You are an awesome teacher! I live in Southwest Georgia, zone 8b.

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[@saulgrayson2499]

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[@saulgrayson2499]

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[@margaretmaguire3329]

When my Natchez Crepe Myrtle was last in full leaf and bloom, the possums completely devastated it,not one leaf or flower was left. Then slowly it refoliated and small blooms came back. The tree is not small it is huge but the possums are voracious in my area and nothing deters them not even thorny plants escape them, I would get up at night and hose with a full jet of water and there would be at least 5 or 6 of them all sizes scurrying everywhere after awhile they would come back nothing deters them. That’s Australia for you.😀🌺 Myrtle

[@barbie3166]

Thank you so much for this video!! I keep coming back to it for help with mine! I unfortunately don't know what kind I have inherited. The previous owners only know that it's white and about 3 years old. So not very helpful. I wish there were a way to find out which kind it was. 😕

[@VeldaParsons]

Can you grow new plants from the cuttings? Pruning video was very helpful!

[@alwayshappybabyasma]

Wao amazing video thanks for sharing dear Friend big like from your new friend always happy baby channel thanks

[@the_garden_guru]

Thanks for watching!

[@pakaza]

Excellent video! Thank you. Learned a lot.

[@the_garden_guru]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jasonmcnamara7127]

Hello, great video! I do have a question regarding a crêpe myrtle I planted roughly about five months ago. I live in Texas may be about two hours north of Houston and my crêpe myrtle was doing wonderful until about a few weeks ago. I have now noticed my leaves are browning and falling off but I still have blooms cause as of right now I do not see it any Pests I am kind of wondering if I may have another issue or if this is somewhat normal in the September timeframe if there’s anything you could advise that would be great

[@MrJsysco]

Can I send you a photo of my trees for your assessment? Thanks!

[@jmag4978]

Can you please share what nursery do you buy/order your plant, see that some of them still have their tags? Thanku

[@zigtonswizard3670]

Will Crepe Myrtle do well in zone 6? Any help will be greatfully appreciated.

[@shanehester5317]

interesting what happened to some of mine.they bloomed for 2 months then rebloomed for about a month last of august.

[@Clyde_Lewis]

My crepe myrtle has many sprouts (not suckers) out around the perimeter of the mother plant, which died during the subzero temperatures we had back in Feb '20. What time of year can I sever the mother root for the sprouts, so that they may begin to form their own roots in place? Also, after that, is late fall the good time to move the sprouts to new location? Thanks for your help.

[@pfurr281]

I can't find these fertilizer show have left a link.

[@edwardmartinez4144]

Should you put mulch around the crape myrtle tree. Will it delay the blooms?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Edward! Crepe Myrtles actually benefit from mulching, you will want to make sure you have your mulch layer at about 3-4 inches from the base of the tree to the ground. This keeps the roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

[@adrianagomez-bravo337]

Great Video! Lots of useful information.

[@marypliska4070]

What makes Crepe Myrtles start the leaves turn like early autumn color and drop off in the summer and what do you use to treat this? It happened last summer but so far this year they are doing great.

[@denko44]

Probably drought stress

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Mary! This is usually due to drought, trees usually drop their leaves and go into dormancy during dryer periods. You can water your crepe by hand if it is a dryer weather period where you are. Glad to hear it is doing better!

[@vangiegarza5709]

I have 3 large (tree) Muskogee, 1 hasn't bloomed??? Just purchased 2 Ebony Fire that are about 2' haven't planted the heat has been so extreme in deep So Tx , close to Mexican border. Should I wait till late September or October to plant?

[@minervagonzales3787]

Amazing video. GOD BLESS!!!!!!!

[@the_garden_guru]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cherbearsmith]

There are others who commented but haven't gotten a response yet.

[@mariabarreto4417]

I love these video .I learn a lot.

[@the_garden_guru]

Glad you like them!

[@jewelzhang3745]

I have a newly planted myrtle, the flower buds are presented beautifully, but it’s started to curl a little bit (soft and dropping on the tips). Am I overwatering or it’s lack of watering? Thank you so much!

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Jewel! Sounds like it was probably lack of water due to summer heat conditions. If you see the tips droop or curl again, when you water, do so heavily rather than giving it a light drink.

[@majidaattaplantscare4582]

So beautiful plant s 🙏

[@the_garden_guru]

Thank you!

[@dr.charlenecrump9651]

I am interested in the catarpha (sp?)-the amazing dark purple. I just purchased Black Diamond. Which is a dark purple. Can you give me correct spelling so I can get one😎

[@Clyde_Lewis]

It may be the Catawba. I have several, and they're beautiful!

[@the_garden_guru]

Clyde is correct! The catawba variety is a gorgeous purple bloom crepe myrtle.

[@RitaTaylor-k9f]

I have a crêpe myrtle that is partially blooming. One part of it is and the other is not. What can I do?

[@kathleensugrim3580]

Hi can you please list the recommended fertilizer, fungus and insect control for the crepe myrtle. This is my 1st time planting crepe myrtle

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Kathleen! Sorry for the late reply, if you are local, we would definitely recommend our McDonald Garden Center Greenleaf plant food. But, any all-purpose plant food should be fine, just read your directions. As for fungus and insect control, we would recommend Triple Action by Fertilome, as it is a great all-purpose insecticide, fungicide, and miticide.

[@tataadarivlog7529]

i like this flowers

[@myrnawatts4722]

Do you cut back the suckers coming up from the ground?? Planted last fall in NY, full sun. Black Diamond no sign of buds on the branches yet. May 24th

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Myrna! Cut the suckers back as far as you can without damaging the main stems. In New York you may not see buds in bloom until July. Hopefully you are already seeing them!

[@joannehof7743]

Tons of crape myrtles in southern New Jersey

[@2sugabugs]

Hello that RED crape myrtle behind you what color is it ?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi there! Yes, it is a red crepe myrtle. :)

[@supercoo58]

Hi, Just bought 4 crepe myrtle trees for my new home in Georgia. They are new growing, about 2 to 3 feet tall. The soil here is clay. They were doing great and blooming the beautiful purple blooms. We had a bad wind and rain storm. The next day my trees looked distressed. The leaves fell off the limbs and they turned brown. Now the trees are stripped and naked. How can I save them. Please HELP

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Belinda! Since you have clay soil in your area, it is good to know that it does need to be amended. When it gets too dry it is hard to get water to the roots and when it gets too wet it can stay wet for long periods of time. So, if the soil wasn’t amended when planting, then that could be the cause. Scrape the bark and if it is green underneath then there is hope, if the soil was not amended, you can replant with amended soil. You will want 1/3 your soil, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 perlite. You will want to make sure the base of the trunk is level with the ground when replanting. Use super thrive to revive plant, but don’t fertilize until you are sure it is back and healthy again.

[@fearless705]

I just go two small ones maybe like 4ft tall can I prun small twigs coming off the sides even though its mid summer??

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Joel! Yes, small pruning is fine anytime of the year. Heavy pruning should be done in February or March.

[@Madronaxyz]

I grew up in the Texas panhandle. Many people had crepe myrtles in their yards. Is there a variety that's tolerant of semi-arid climates?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi there! All crepe myrtles are drought tolerant once established, you will just need to water every 2-3 days the first 2-3 weeks after planting and water once per week during low rainfall periods. Just keep an eye on your new tree over its first year of being planted!

[@PriscillaFGarcia]

Loved this video. But I have an issue I can’t find anywhere. I have 2 Muskogee crepe myrtle trees about 6-7 feet tall planted 1-2 years ago and both have 3 main branches. One of the main branch didn’t grow leaves at all this year but other branches, do have leaves but no blooms. The same for the other tree. I scraped one of the trees main branches that has no leaves and there’s no green underneath. Am I suppose to prune that dead branch completely and stay with 2 main branches/trunks or leave it and fertilize? Also what fertilizer should I be using? Another thing, I live in south texas zone 9 and we’re currently at 100-109 degrees. Am I suppose to deep water everyday…how many times a day? Sorry this is so long I’m desperate for help.

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Priscilla! If there is brown underneath the branch, it will need to be pruned out. Crepe myrtles are drought and heat tolerant to a certain extent, we would definitely recommend watering deeply once per week during very hot periods in the summer. Crepe myrtles prefer a slightly acidic soil, so you might want to do a pH test to see what you need. We would not recommend fertilizing because your crepe myrtles are pretty stressed. Instead, we would recommend Super Thrive to relieve stress on the plant.

[@PriscillaFGarcia]

@@the_garden_guru thank you so much for replying. I’ll definitely do that 🙏🏼

[@marysmith9934]

I have 2 Natchez in front of the house. If I leave the spent seed pods on, will they re-bloom next year?

[@djrbignell]

No. They are 'spent' and need to be trimmed off the tree. Crape Myrtle bloom on NEW GROWTH.

[@judimariethomas1975]

in central NJ - first winter for our small but very healthy crepe myrtle bush...what's the best way to protect it thru the winter as far as covering, tenting, mulching? I'm reading conflicting info and few specifics on other sites. Thx!

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Judimarie! Mulching is going to be your best defense, a good 4-5 inches is best. We typically don’t recommend more then 3-4 inches, but a little extra for just the winter months will really help. Then remove a little going into spring. There are some really cold hardy varieties like Zuni or Tonto, but up north, they may never become a tree, best growth will come from roots, and not last years growth, but that really depends on each winter season. Hopefully this answers your question!

[@kimthatsallyouneedtoknow5684]

what time of year should I be pruning and thinning out my crepe myrtle?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Kim! A majority of pruning should be done in February or March before it produces leaves, but small prunes here and there can be done at anytime.

[@ahmedhayat5309]

What should be the size of container for crepe myrtle?????

[@noel888]

Last year i successfully made a Purple crape myrtle dwarf seed germinate into a 7 inch cutting. By the time it got to that height, it was dormant time for c. m. in my area. I followed the rules to keep in a cool room and water it sparingly. This Spring, its now May and no sign of life. The actual c. m I took the seed from did get out of domeancy this past April. Is my cutting dead?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Anthony! We are sorry to say that we do think your cutting is not going to make it. Crepe myrtles grown in containers should be left outdoors in USDA zones 7-10. If you are in a zone colder than 7, bring your containers in only during cold nights where temperatures get below 20 degrees.

[@turnandburnroadtripssouthe8432]

I have a muscogee in my front yard thats about 30 ft tall and it blooms so high we cant enjoy it, can we cut it back about 40% and do it in the summer?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi there! We do not recommend harsh pruning until January or February. Cutting them down this much in the summer can cause damage to the tree.

[@margoduffy851]

I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I planted a Catawa close to my house (3 years ago) for warmth, can I keep it there and keep it "shorter"?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Margo! Catawba crepe myrtles get about 10-12ft tall, the shortest you want to keep at is about 6-8ft tall. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

[@ruthgilbo889]

Also -how deer resistant are crape myrtles???

[@ramonadiaz8750]

My watermelon tree has very little leaves and it has me concerns my tree has been there for like 10 year's

[@guatgekyeoh8885]

Hello. I am from Sweden. I don't think we have crepe myrth in Sweden. Can you send to Sweden.

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi there! Unfortunately, we do not ship any of our plants at this time, nationally or internationally.

[@gardeniabee]

It is end of May. Several crepe myrtles have not leafed out. Bark Scratch test--- no green. But many suckers. Do I remove suckers or are they the only hope I have to save the tree? Zone 7a or 8. High desert, far northern California.

[@noel888]

It would be to your satisfaction to root those suckers in the event the main plant is dead. Suckers are easy to propergate.

[@sharonmitchel1377]

We had a -15 degree freeze last winter and our young 6’ tall tuscarora crape myrtle died to the ground. The new growth from the base is now about 4’ tall and doing beautifully.

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi there! Sorry for the late reply. Due to extreme winters, crepe myrtles can die back to the root ball. Prune out the dead wood and allow the suckers to reform into your new tree.

[@shanemccoy419]

❤thank you

[@peggyfolse7525]

You did not specify which Crepe Myrtles grow the fastest, which is of interest to me.

[@johnr.302]

Muskogee blooms the fastest

[@jamesbarron1202]

Bashams Party Pink is the fastest grower 30’+ tall

[@dr.charlenecrump9651]

What fertilizer should I use on crepe myrtles?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Dr. Charlene! We recommend our McDonald Greenleaf plant food, if you are local to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. If not in our area, then a good all purpose granule fertilizer would work great! Espoma Plant Tone or Osmocote are great options.

[@dr.charlenecrump9651]

@@the_garden_guru thank you so much! I am in Florida so I will go with your options. 😎😎

[@wynettegreer3812]

Mine hardly bloomed last year

[@patriciaburd8253]

I have a Lunar Magic crape myrtle and it has become sticky. Why has this happened? Do I need to use a fungicide on it or is this a natural occurrence with this type of plant? Is this a disease? I live in Fort Worth, TX I water almost everyday, is this too much water?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Patricia! A sticky substance in leaves and bark almost always means that insects are present. This could be mealy bugs, aphids, and/or scale. All of these insects secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, so you should treat them with an all-purpose insecticide. The sticky substance can attract a fungus called sooty mold, which then you would need a fungicide to cure, but first, identify insects and control those first. Watering every day shouldn’t be necessary, you need to start cutting back, depending on how much rainfall you get. At most you would only want to water once a week. Start going to every other day for two weeks and then every third day, till you are eating once a week. Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any more questions.

[@debbievilleda5500]

Can I keep this kind of tree in a container?

[@the_garden_guru]

Yes! There are many varieties of crepe myrtles that can be grown in containers. Look for some of the smaller varieties for best results!

[@debbievilleda5500]

@@the_garden_guru Thank you

[@ruthgilbo889]

WHEN can I plant? I live in zone 7, it's now September. My customer would like a crepe myrtle. Is it safe to plant now? Thanks

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Ruth! You can plant your crepe myrtles at any time before December for zone 7.

[@ruthgilbo889]

@@the_garden_guru Thanks!

[@marcc.e.wagner8789]

What about the paperbark crepe myrtle?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Marc! Sorry for the late reply, all crepe myrtles have exfoliating bark, some more prominent than others.

[@robertsamson4610]

Today we're going to be talking OHMM...about Crepe Myrtle trees OHMM...but first, let me just say OHMM!

[@wynettegreer3812]

What about spray and grow ?

[@the_garden_guru]

Hi Wynette! We do not sell spray and grow, we would check the label for directions on feeding plants.

[@julianalee7343]

I like buy diamonds red crepe myrte tree

[@the_garden_guru]

Unfortunately, we do not have an online store at this time at mcdonaldgardencenter.com. However, you can visit our stores in Virginia Beach, VA and we'd be happy to help pair you with the perfect crepe myrtle for your garden. 🙂

[@chandracox6814]

Um...uh...uh...um...um...🙄🤦

[@iforc]

More fluff than a mega church youth pastor. Just get to the point guy.