Late July - Crape Myrtle Still Not Blooming

McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

I'm not sure why plant isn't blooming this year. It has leaf out nicely, and has lots of buds, but none of them seem to be opening. I believe that it had a very light pruning in the spring. I planted it last spring. It bloomed beautifully last year.

Any suggestions? I hope to post a couple of photos later today.

Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

If it's got buds then it should bloom, just give it a little more time. Most likely it sustained some damage in that late spring cold snap and that delayed blooming a little bit. Or some varieties start blooming a little later than others, could be you have one of the later varieties. As long as the plant doesn't look like it's being stressed by too much/little water, insects, disease, etc I wouldn't worry too much. Some plants also take a year or two to get settled in, so the blooms this year may not be super impressive--I've found that when I plant things, they often come from the nursery already with buds and things so they'll sometimes bloom nicely the first year, but then the 2nd year they're much less impressive, but by the 3rd year they usually come back strong.

McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

I can't quite remember when it bloomed last year, but it does seem very late this year. I took a good look around, actually saw two - just two little blooms. I have lots of buds though, so I guess it will be beautiful in August.

Its not a very tall crape - probably just about 6', maybe seven, but is very full.

McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

Here's the tree or large shrub. It is surrounded by black eye susans on one side.

Thumbnail by pennefeather
McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

Here are the buds.

I guess I was just being impatient.

Thumbnail by pennefeather
McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

It's blooming, and it is a beautiful raspberry color.

Thumbnail by pennefeather
McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

I don't remember it taking so long to bloom last year. Unfortunately, I can't remember which crepe this one is. I know that it is supposed to be a dwarf. The color is awesome!

Thumbnail by pennefeather
Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

If it got hit by that Easter cold snap, that could have set it back a little on when it started blooming.

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