Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle

Common Name: crape myrtle

Type: tree

Family: Lythraceae

Zone: 7 to 9       Find Your Zone

Height:10 to 30 feet

Width: 15 to 20 foot

Bloom Time: June-July

Bloom Color: reds, pinks, purples, lavenders and white

Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade

Soil: well drained

Leaf: deciduous

Fertilizer: Vigoro Tree, Shrub and Evergreen or Miracle Gro Evergreen Tree Spikes

Perhaps the fastest grower in the bunch, the crape myrtle is unmistakable in the summer when it starts blooming. This medium size tree is very adaptable and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. This tree is also the highest maintenance tree in the bunch and requires pruning periodically. Coming in all different color pinks, reds, purples, lavenders and white, this tree will fit into any landscape. These trees grow 20 to 30 foot tall but also come in dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties. This tree made it onto the Top 10 Landscape trees list.

PLANTING GUIDE

STEP 1: Digging the hole

• Find a location that has suitable sun exposure for your particular type of plant.
• Dig your hole an inch or two shallower than the rootball of the plant.
• Dig the hole twice the diameter of the rootball.
• Scuff up the sides of the hole with a shovel to help roots break through the native soil.
  

STEP 2: Putting plant in hole

• When removing the plant from the pot, check to see if the roots were circling the pot.
• If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots with your hands until loosened up.
• Set plant level, in the center of the hole.
• Make sure the top of the rootball is just above soil level.

STEP 3: Amending the soil and filling in the hole

• Amend the soil with proper amendments for your soil type. 
  
• Incorporate 50% native soil with 50% amendment soils like garden soil, composted manure or soil conditioner.
• Make sure dirt clods are broken up or removed from hole along with rocks.
• Fill the hole with soils to the soil level and pack down. Do not cover top of rootball with dirt.
  
• Water in thoroughly to remove air pockets.

STEP 4: Mulching and fertilizing

• Cover the planting site with at least 2 inches of the mulch of your choice (pinestraw, cupress mulch,etc.)
• High Phosphorus root stimulator fertilizers like Quick Start from Miracle Gro are great to use at time of planting.
• When planting trees, a tree stake kit may be required to prevent the wind from blowing over or breaking our newly planted tree until it becomes established.

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