Trimming Your Crape Myrtle

Acoma White Crape Myrtle – Dwarf

Do Not Prune Your Crape

I know that sounds extreme, and of course, prune out the dead wood and branches that are rubbing against one another. Purchase the right crape for the right spot.

Fertilize Your Crape: Fertilize your crape in early March and in late May. The bigger the crape, the more nitrogen it will require. Huge crapes require lots and lots of nitrogen. Be careful not to use a weed killer under the crape drip line. This can damage the crape.

See: Crape Myrtle Overview to determine the right crape for your garden.

Hacking a crape myrtle destroys not only the aesthetic beauty of the tree but its ability to support its blooms.

Crape Murder

Natchez White Crape Myrtle – Crape Murder

This is known as “knuckling” a tree. This is an improper pruning method. Tree trimmers go from door to door in Dallas and suggest this. These are not certified arborists. Do NOT get talked into this. There are actually streets in Dallas where every house has a ‘knuckled’ crape myrtle. (You know who you are!)

Natural globose shape of the Natchez White Crape Myrtle with blooms somewhat pendulant.

Crape_Murder_Dallas_Texas_Lee_Ann_Torrans

Crapes will never bloom in shade. These crapes are not only planted in the wrong spot, they have been improperly pruned. Wait until the fall, move them, cut them back to the ground and start fresh. They will come back from a very strong root system.