How far from a fence should 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.

How far from the fence should I plant crape myrtle?

If you are planting a row of crape myrtles to create a privacy screen, you'll want to leave at least three feet from your property line or fence. Five feet is recommended for larger types, as you'll want to ensure you have control over the growth and pruning of your tree.

How much room does a crepe myrtle need?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc). To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6'-10' apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8'-12' apart.

Can crepe myrtle roots damage pipes?

Can Crepe Myrtle Roots Damage Pipes? Because of their non-invasive nature, crepe myrtle roots are one of the better choices as a "sewer-friendly" plant. While any root can potentially clog already damaged sewer lines, crepe myrtles are unlikely to do much damage.

Do crepe myrtle have invasive roots?

Crepe Myrtle Tree Roots

This is why plants and grasses do not grow well when planted near crepe myrtles. Those roots compete for water, so nearby neighbors may be malformed or might not thrive. However, the roots are not invasive, so you need not worry about planting them close to concrete driveways and sidewalks.

All About Crape Myrtles (Growing and Maintaining Crape Myrtles)

How far do crepe myrtle roots go?

Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. In fact, the entire crepe myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide.

Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA, in any soil type. The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it's fine.

How quickly do crepe myrtles grow?

Growth Rate

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

Do crepe myrtles stain concrete?

In my area it is Crepe Myrtle seeds that have fallen and stained the pavers. I have also seen pecans fall and stain a concrete surface. Any tree or shrub that drops either flowers or seeds will 'stain' concrete; ie pavers.

Can you keep a crepe myrtle small?

The methods of pruning dwarf crape myrtle range from easy to not at all. For starters, the plants really don't require pruning - they have a slower growth rate than their larger growing cousins and usually have a good natural form all on their own. That said, I usually do at least a light annual pruning on mine.

Does crepe myrtle make a good hedge?

Crepe myrtles have many landscape uses. Planted together, they make a large deciduous hedge or screen. A single tree can create a distinctive focal point, while a pair framing a front door greets visitors with a warm Southern welcome. Be sure to choose the right size for your needs.

When should crape myrtles be planted?

Balled and burlapped plants have stricter requirements when it comes to planting times, as do bare-root crape myrtles. Plant these during the dormant season, sometime between late fall and early spring.

How can I make my crepe myrtle grow faster?

To help your crape myrtle grow taller (and produce more flowers), use a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Do not use this too often or you will get more leaves than flowers. Water the tree once a week, soaking the entire root system thoroughly. They require at least 1 inch of water per week.

How tall do dwarf crape myrtle trees get?

Dwarf varieties only grow to a height of 4 feet or less. Semi-Dwarf varieties grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Large or Tree Crapemyrtle reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet. By choosing a suitably-sized variety for your location, you will eliminate the need for heavy pruning.

How do you keep crepe myrtles from sprouting?

To stop the crape myrtle from coming up from the roots you can apply a phenoxy herbicide product like Dicamba or 2,4D. The herbicide will kill the roots too. You can also use sucker stopper which is a plant growth regulator.

What is the best crape myrtle?

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.

Are crepe 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.

What can you plant under a crape myrtle?

Can I plant crepe myrtle close to House?

Tip. You can plant crape myrtle near the foundation as they have non-invasive roots, according to Dayton Nursery. However, be sure to plant them far enough away from the foundation and the building so the shrub can grow to its full size without being blocked by the building.

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

Crape Myrtle Bush Vs.

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.

How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to bloom?

15' tall tree, two years in the ground: I agree with you that expecting the tree to bloom by now is reasonable (especially with this type of tree), but maybe it still just needs more time. It's common for newly planted trees to take a few years, while becoming established, to bloom.

Should you put mulch around crepe myrtles?

When planting crape myrtles, gardeners should install a layer of mulch about 3 to 5 inches deep in an area twice as large as the planting hole. Insect damage is a frequent problem on crape myrtles and aphids cause much of that damage.

How often should you water a newly planted crepe myrtle?

Watering: Water your newly planted crape myrtle thoroughly after planting. Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil.

Do you prune crape myrtle trees?

Growing Conditions

Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.