Can crepe myrtle grow in Zone 4? If the plants are labeled zone 5 crepe myrtle trees, they will likely survive the cold. A good place to start is with the ‘Filligree' cultivars. These trees offer stunning blossoms in the middle of the summer in colors that include red, coral and violet. Yet, they are labeled for zones 4 through 9 .
Can crape myrtle survive winter?
Most crape myrtle varieties are winter hardy to zone 7 , which corresponds to a minimum winter temperature of 0° to 10° F. Depending on where you live in Ohio, you may be in zone 5 or 6, where crape myrtles will need some winter protection in order to survive.
What zone is best for crepe myrtle?
Planting Crape Myrtle
All crape myrtles are sun lovers, generally cold hardy in Zones 7-10 , although there are some that will work in Zone 6 as well. They are extremely heat-tolerant and quite drought-tolerant once established.
What is the hardiest crape myrtle?
Tougher than its Southern cousin, Tonto Hardy Crape Myrtle Tree tolerates subzero temperatures. Like other crape myrtles, this deciduous shrub provides months of interest in the landscape. From midsummer to fall, its bright red flower panicles are on full display.
How do you winterize a crape myrtle?
It is advisable to wrap young (1 year or less) and small Crepe Myrtle trees . Wrap burlap around the branches and then add an insulating filler such as leaves or straw to provide additional protection. Use bush jackets for dwarf plants. Bush jackets are reusable insulating covers that cover the plant.
Will crepe myrtle come back after a freeze?
Freeze-damaged trees can take some time to come back, but Crape Myrtles can be quite resilient . Other varieties are generally more winter hardy, and will require monitoring and pruning of dead twigs/branches when they leaf out.
How cold can crape myrtles tolerate?
Cold Hardy Crepe Myrtle
The canopies survive down to 5 degrees F. (-15 C.) if fall leads into winter with a gradual cool down. If winter comes abruptly, the trees can suffer severe damage in the 20's.
What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?
Crape Myrtle Bush Vs.
The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush . Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.
Are crepe myrtle trees messy?
The Crepe Myrtle is a great addition to any yard. It is easy to care for, drought resistant, cold resistant and deer resistant. It is not a messy tree , provides shade, and is beautiful during all seasons of the year. It is the Summer Flowering Tree of California.
How quickly do crepe myrtles grow?
This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24′′ per year .
Are crepe myrtles freeze tolerant?
Crape myrtles can tolerate temperatures as low as approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit . Below-zero temperatures and hard freezes may cause crape myrtles to die back during the winter.
Are crape myrtles high maintenance?
Crape myrtle is a relatively low-maintenance choice for landscaping in the appropriate region, but they do require some specific care for their showy blooms to flourish. To help your crape myrtle look its very best... Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive.
When should crepe myrtles be planted?
Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. First, learn some information about the lifespan and growth of your tree. Crepe myrtles range in size from dwarf selections (less than three feet tall) to some that can reach as tall as 30 feet.
Should I put mulch around my crepe myrtles?
When planting crape myrtles, gardeners should install a layer of mulch about 3 to 5 inches deep in an area twice as large as the planting hole . Insect damage is a frequent problem on crape myrtles and aphids cause much of that damage.
How long do crepe myrtles live?
Crape myrtles are beautiful flowering trees that are native to eastern Asia but can be found in many parts of the United States. They can grow up to 20-25 feet tall and have a lifespan of about 20 years . These plants are typically seen as ornamental, but they also have other uses.
How do you protect crape myrtles from frost?
How invasive are crepe myrtle roots?
The crepe myrtle root system can extend a considerable distance, but the roots are not aggressive . The roots are relatively weak and will not insert themselves into nearby foundations, sidewalks or endanger nearly plants.
What plants survived the Texas freeze?
Borderline species include Anacacho, possumhaw, persimmon, Japanese blueberry, lantana, Asian jasmine, Turk's cap, wild rose, shrimp plant and Shoal Creek chaste tree , a local favorite that rivals the Mexican plum in our hood for spring showiness.
What can you plant under a crepe myrtle?
- Columbine. Columbine is a unique flower as it appears to have a bloom within a bloom. ...
- Lily of the Valley. ...
- Verbena. ...
- Hostas. ...
- Rose of Sharon. ...
- Hibiscus. ...
- Daffodil. ...
- Chrysanthemums.
How long does it take for crape myrtle to bloom?
3. Bloom time can vary by 6-8 weeks depending on your variety of crape myrtle. Flower blossoms develop on new growth, so while each variety varies in its exact bloom time, flowering can also depend on the pruning you did in winter.
How many trunks should a crape myrtle have?
For most crape myrtles, choose three, five, or—at most—seven main trunks . An odd number of trunks is more pleasing to the eye than an even number, which often looks like soldiers in formation. Keep trunks that have ample space to grow and are growing straight and strong.
How far apart should crepe myrtle trees be planted?
To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6′-10′ apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8′-12′ apart . For a more individual plant look, plant Dwarfs 10′ apart and Standards 15′ apart.
Do crepe myrtle trees attract bees?
Crapemyrtle aphids and their sugary honeydew are food for twenty to thirty species of beneficial insect predators (good bugs that feed on harmful bugs) and countless bees and wasps. The crape myrtle flowers also attract and provide nectar and pollen to many important pollinating bees .
Are crepe myrtles hard to grow?
How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9 down to 7 (with some special varieties surviving in zone 6), as they are easy to grow in the right location .
How often do you water a crape myrtle tree?
Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil . Water new plants regularly for about two months, and water during drought for better blooms and healthier plants.
Can crepe myrtle grow in pots?
Crape Myrtle trees grow well in pots or planter boxes and they will live for many years in a large pot. Make sure the container you choose has drainage holes, this is vital.
Do crepe myrtles bloom every year?
Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year . The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive. Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety.
What do you feed a crape myrtle?
You'll want to start feeding with a general-purpose, well-balanced garden fertilizer . Use 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or 16-4-8 fertilizer. A granular product works well for crepe myrtle. Take care not to overfertilize.
Do crepe myrtles need Epsom salt?
Do crepe myrtles go dormant in winter?
Crape myrtles have a dormant period every winter . During the dormant stage crapes will lose all their leaves and look like dead. Don't worry, just like a bear sleeps for the winter, your crape myrtles are still sleeping . Crapes do not start leafing out until temperature are consistently the 80s.
How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?
Signs that your Crepe Myrtle is dying or dead
Crepe Myrtles have thin bark, which you can scratch with your fingernail . You can do this to check the health of your tree. Tree care professionals call this the “scratch test.” If the bark underneath is green, your tree is still alive.
Do crepe myrtles need to be cut back?
Can you grow a crepe myrtle indoors?
These plants will benefit from regular fertilizing during their active growing season. However, too much fertilizer can produce many leaves and no flowers at all. Whether you keep Crape myrtles indoors or outdoors, they can be grown safely around children and animals .
