Texas Gardening: Crepe Myrtles, 1 by antiquedrose

antiquedrose wrote:
Deadheading, snipping off the seed pods only, will result in a second bloom. I usually do that, but my crepes (except these two) are just too tall this year.

Your minitures don't need shaping up at all, doesn't get easier!

Be careful not to commit crepe murder. Trimming crossed branches and suckers should just about do it. Wacking back the trunks as if pruning a hedge results in a weak plant with knuckles where the plant tries to heal wounds.

I'm posting a pic of a white crepe I ruined next to the pink crepe pruned properly. If you were to see these "in person" you'd have a better idea.