Crepe Myrtle question

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Marge Media, PA Aug 15, 2001

I don't know much about Crepe Myrtles. We have 2. I think they're tree type with Indian names but I don't remember which names, pink and lavendar. My mother, age 98, loves Crepe Myrtle. These bloom at the top of the tree but not lower where we can cut them to take to her. We need a ladder to get to the blooms. Is there any way to get them to bloom all over the tree, not just at the top?
Marge

Post #10832
Quote
dave Aug 15, 2001

Marge,

These bloom on new growth, so any branch that is new this season will produce blooms.

Next winter, consider pruning the tree in such a manner as to encourage new growth on the bottom, as well as the top, of the tree.

P.S. Welcome to DG. :-)

Dave

Post #110966
Quote
Marge Media, PA Aug 17, 2001

Thanks for the warm welcome.
Should I just pinch the ends of the bottom branches back to growth nodes? or should I prune back a little farther? I gather it's done in the winter before growth starts in the spring?
Marge

Post #111587
Quote
dave Aug 17, 2001

Marge,

The best time to prune (in my opinion) is January. My frosts occur between October 31st and April 31st.

Use those nice bypass snippers that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes (or such) and just trim away. Be gentle and cut off those little stems, leaving the bare pencil-sized and thicker stems alone. Then when the new growth comes in, leave it alone and see what happens. On each new branch that forms, you should see a cluster of flowers appear at the tip.

Dave

Post #111602
Quote
Marge Media, PA Aug 18, 2001

Thank you very much! We'll try this. If I have problems, you may hear from me about it again in Jan. :-)
Marge

Post #112192
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads

Go to all Trees, Shrubs and Conifers threads
BACK TO TOP