What month should you prune crape myrtles?
When to Prune? If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height.
When and how do you prune crape myrtles?
Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Although some gardeners prune their crape myrtles in the fall, I do not recommend doing this.
Is it OK not to prune crepe myrtle?
“Crape myrtles are beautiful trees. They do not require any pruning to encourage summer blossoms, and can grow to be tall, prolific showpieces for any landscape,” said Strickland. “However, with any tree, some light corrective pruning may be in order.”
Can you cut back a crepe myrtle in the summer?
Pruning crepe myrtles in summer is not the optimal time of year to trim your trees, unless you wait until after they bloom. Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) signal the beginning of summer with a profusion of colorful flower clusters.
How do you prune a crepe myrtle that is too tall?
If heavy-pruning your too-tall crape is an annual ritual, transplant it, if possible, and replace it with a shorter variety. If it’s only a bit too tall, prune the top branches back 2 feet to a side branch. But don’t leave stubs.
Why are my crepe myrtles not blooming?
Crepe myrtle not blooming due to lack of sun The crepe myrtle requires significant sunshine in order to bloom. If you have a crepe myrtle not blooming, it may be planted in a bad place that lacks sunshine. Take a look around and see if something is blocking the sun from the tree.
What kind of fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?
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.
Should crepe myrtles be pruned every year?
Growing Conditions Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.