Hi, Do y'all dead head crepe myrtles? They are a new plant to me. I have miniature bushes as well as trees. Thank you in advance.
Crepe Myrtles
Tillymarie,
It isn't necessary to deadhead but it will make them look better throughout the winter season until new growth comes on in the spring.
We don't deadhead ours. :-)
We dug our's up! LOL
I cut them back after what we hope to be the last frost before spring. They are blooming here now gives you a chance to shape them up and hopefully grow thicker.
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.
antiquerose, I totally agree with you about crepe murder. It seems that you either believe you are supposed to cut they way back or only snip the pods and suckers. It saddens me to see so many crepe myrtles around my area hacked back to the nubs during winter.