Are crepe myrtles messy?

Crape myrtles also require pruning to promote the new growth needed for blooming, to reveal the bark, and to keep the shrub or tree tidy. Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up.

Does crepe myrtle make a mess?

The Crepe Myrtle is a great addition to any yard. It is easy to care for, drought resistant, cold resistant and deer resistant. It is not a messy tree, provides shade, and is beautiful during all seasons of the year. It is the Summer Flowering Tree of California.

Are crepe myrtle trees high maintenance?

Crape myrtle is a relatively low-maintenance choice for landscaping in the appropriate region, but they do require some specific care for their showy blooms to flourish. To help your crape myrtle look its very best… Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive.

What are the cons of crepe myrtles?

Be Aware Of Issues Facing Crape Myrtles

One of the main reasons people don't plant Crape Myrtles is because they can bring pests, especially spiders, into your yard. Southern Living explains: “As soon as crepe myrtle leaves unfurl, look for aphids. Their sugary excretions causes sooty mold.

Can I plant a crepe myrtle next to my house?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc).

All About Crape Myrtles (Growing and Maintaining Crape Myrtles)

Do crape myrtles have invasive roots?

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. But are crepe myrtle roots invasive enough to cause problems? You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

Are crape myrtles invasive?

Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. This species as been widely cultivated as an ornamental and has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Is a crape myrtle a good tree?

The crepe myrtles are among the most satisfactory of plants for the South: showy summer flowers, attractive bark, and (in many cases) brilliant fall color make them year-round garden performers.

How close to a fence can you plant a crepe myrtle?

If you are planting against a fence, plant at least three feet from the fence, not right up against it, or your plants will not be bushy right to the ground. For a more solid screen you can even plant a double row, staggering the plants in each row.

Do crepe myrtles drop their leaves?

Since the crepe myrtle is a deciduous tree, it sheds all its leaves in the winter, leaving behind the beautiful bark on the tree, which makes it a prized tree in many yards.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won't grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you'll encourage way more blooms to appear.

Are crepe myrtles fast growing?

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

What plants go well with crepe myrtles?

Where do crepe myrtles grow best?

Climate: Crape myrtles can be grown in hardiness zones 6-10, although in zone 6 they're likely to die back to the ground in winter. Water: Crape myrtles like humid climates. Once established, they can tolerate quite a bit of drought. Light: Crape myrtles flower best in full sun (at least six hours per day).

Are Natchez crepe myrtles messy?

Having championed crepe myrtle as the top ornamental tree for the South for so long, I am conflicted. Yes, I love crepe myrtles. And yes, they can be very messy. Take a look at my front porch.

What can I plant around my pool fence?

Are crape myrtles good for privacy?

The Crape Myrtle Company

Crape Myrtles are a beautiful choice when deciding what to plant. Choose from our dwarf or medium varieties. You will receive well branched plants that will quickly become a thick, bushy and blooming privacy shield.

Can you plant two crape myrtles together?

One characteristic of crape myrtle that can be enjoyed is the graceful branching habit. A way to diminish this characteristic is to plant too closely together and planting too closely together inhibits air circulation (which is helpful in fending off disease) and makes the landscape appear cluttered.

How long does it take for a crepe myrtle to grow?

Growth Rate of Common Crape Myrtles

This myrtle, like all myrtles, thrives in full sunlight and moist but well-draining soil. It has a maximum height of between 15 to 30 feet, which means it will take between about five to 10 years to reach maturity.

How do you keep crepe myrtles small?

Remove extraneous or interior branches that might cross between trunks or rub against each other, cut low branches to encourage vertical growth and prune unwanted new trunks to the ground. Eliminate any growth equal to or less than pencil width to prioritize nutrients to the main branches.

Are crape myrtles poisonous to dogs?

Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.

Do crepe myrtles lose their bark?

That peeling bark is normal; in fact, it's one of the most prized qualities of our favorite tree! As all Crepe Myrtles grow and mature, they shed last year's bark, revealing a colorful, mottled bark beneath. Once the tree has reached full maturity, several years after planting... you are in for a real show.

Do hummingbirds feed on crepe myrtles?

Hummingbirds like to feed from flowering shrubs that include azaleas, rhododendron, crape myrtle, weigela, rose of Sharon and butterfly bush. Coral bells, garden phlox, delphinium, hollyhocks, columbine, dianthus, hostas, perennial hibiscus and day lilies are also tasty treats.

Which crape myrtle is the best?

Natchez is recognized as the top performing crape myrtle in the southeastern United States. It was introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1987. White flowers and exfoliating bark are characteristic of this cultivar, which reaches heights of 30 feet at maturity.

When's the best time to plant a crepe myrtle?

Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.