How to Grow a Crepe Myrtle

Crepe Myrtles are a great landscaping tree because of their drought resistance and flowering blooms. Crepe Myrtles work well in yards as pruned hedges or tall, flowering trees. Growing a Crepe Myrtle is easy, as long as you keep it well watered until it's established and plant it in full sun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Mulch
• Fertilizer
• Soapy water solution
• Pruning shears

1. Prepare the planting site by digging a hole two times wider than the Crepe Myrtle's root ball. Break up the dirt, removing rocks and debris. Place the Crepe Myrtle in the hole and fill it in with the dug out dirt.

2. Water the newly planted Crepe Myrtle well, to help pack down the soil and refresh the roots. Add some straw or bark mulch around the tree. To ensure your Crepe Myrtle grows strong, water it well, once a week for the first two months.

3. Water your Crepe Myrtle occasionally during a drought. Although Crepe Myrtles can grow in dry conditions, they bloom and flower better with some water.

4. Plant your Crepe Myrtle in full sun. If you notice that your Crepe Myrtle gets less than six hours of sun a day, transplant it in the fall after the roots have gone dormant.

5. Fertilize your Crepe Myrtle with general fertilizer at least every other month when it's a young planting, and every spring once it's established. Newly planted Crepe Myrtles need about 1 tsp. of fertilizer, while larger Crepe Myrtles grow well with about a 1/2 cup of fertilizer.

6. Prevent aphids on your Crepe Myrtle by spraying it down with a solution of mild, soapy water.

7. Encourage new, stronger growth in your Crepe Myrtle by pruning the branches in the winter. If you want your Crepe Myrtle as a decorative hedge, prune it to six inches above the ground.