Use and Care Manual

PLANTING CARE:
The crape myrtle prefers well-draining clay, loam, or sandy soils. The pH level of the soil should be 5.5 to
7.5. Mulch in the spring & fall. The mulch should be about 4-6 inches deep (acid mulch, pine bark or oak
leaves). Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. Do not mulch with mushroom
compost.
Fertilization
Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring as soon as the leaves appear and again in two months.
A complete general-purpose garden fertilizer — such as 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 — is ideal for
crape myrtle. To newly planted small plants (1-gallon size), apply 1 teaspoon of fertilizer monthly from
March to August along the perimeter of the planting hole. Larger, established plants will benefit from
one broadcast application of fertilizer in spring. Apply 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 at a rate of 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft.
or 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 at a rate of ½ lb. per 100 sq. ft. Avoid over-fertilization because it causes excess
growth and reduced flowering. The best time to fertilize is just before a rain. Otherwise, water in the
fertilizer after application with irrigation. It is not necessary to remove mulch when fertilizing.
Water
The first year is a critical time for your new crape myrtle. It has not had time to establish itself yet and
therefore is not as strong as an older shrub. To prevent the plant from dying, it must be watered once a
week.
For best growth and production, crape myrtle should receive at least one inch of water a week. During
dry spells, water is mandatory. If not properly watered during dry spells, flowers may be mitigated.
Keep at least 4 feet around the shrub clear of grass and weeds, for less competition for water.
Once your tree reaches maturity, it will be naturally drought-resistant.
Pruning
Crape myrtle flowers on new growth of the season, so if you choose to prune, do so in the dormant
season, i.e. later winter to early spring before growth resumes. Avoid pruning in early fall before the first
frost, because pruning forces new growth and keeps the plant from going dormant. Severe freezes can
kill the plant if it is not fully dormant.
It is a common misconception that crape myrtles require pruning in order to flower. This is not only false
but has also resulted in virtually millions of plants being pruned very aggressively, a practice commonly
referred to as "crape murder." The most natural and beautiful crape myrtle trees result from limited or
no pruning. In addition, aggressive pruning leads to increased suckering (shoots arising from below-
ground roots) which is not only undesirable but it could result in powdery mildew spreading from the
suckers to the canopy of the tree. Aphids are also attracted to the succulent growth which results from
aggressive pruning.
It is far better to plant dwarf, or semi-dwarf varieties which grow to desired mature heights than to
continue fighting with a more vigorous, larger cultivars planted in a too-small space.