Crape myrtle tree ( Lagerstroemia ) are to the southern United States what English ivy is to university towers . Imperative . Expected . Greatly appreciated , and … lovely .
Though not as ubiquitous as they are the Southeast , the crepe Vinca minor ’s range also extends to the Southwest and up the west coast , where they are also revered for their great mantrap .
Heralding summer ’s comer , French pancake myrtle erupt in May , June , or July with profuse clusters of delicate flowers in a 10000 of colour , include white , various shades of pink , violet , yellow , and even red .
These trees aren’t as butchered as some examples we’ve seen, but they’re far from well-trimmed.
As spectacular as they are in summertime , in gloaming they lose their parting and nurseryman are left with simple branches , stem , and sprig begging to be whipped into shape .
But how to trim back ? If you know anything about crape myrtles , you know this is a topic of great debate among rest home gardeners and experts alike . Let ’s see at historical and modernbest practices for pruningcrape myrtle trees .
But First…
You might be shaking your head as you read this , monish us for our spelling . It is true that there are several recognized spelling for this alluring Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , including “ French pancake myrtle , ” “ crapemyrtle , ” and the one we have chosen , “ crape myrtle . ”
The Dark Ages
Once upon a time , these enchanting tree were “ topped ” — each trunk , limb and twig chopped to a uniform meridian across the width of the plant to produce a plane so level you could poise a dinner party plate on the butcher stalks .
This eccentric of “ crape murder ” results in stubby limb from which long , clunky canes of new growth emerge . These skinny shoot are too infirm to moderate up their flowers , and they fall flat over like an overtired yearling in her feeding chair , or breach off completely .
Another result of overzealous yearly pruning are the untempting “ knuckle ” that form at the site of the cuts . These vile , bulbous greyback and bump make over the year in response to replicate whackings .
These trees aren’t as butchered as some examples we’ve seen, but they’re far from well-trimmed.
tally the knuckles to the clumsy cane that washout , and your graceful tree becomes considerably less so . moreover , not allowing the torso to mature means you ’ll never get the attractive , blotch bark common to oldertrees .
‘ Enduring Summer ’ Crape Myrtle
Sometimes this treachery was committed because “ crepe myrtles bloom on new growth , ” as the soundness went . And while they do bloom on new emergence , they also bloom utterly fine on previous maturation , thank you very much !
Other times , a French pancake myrtle may be hard lop to control the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s height . Nooooooo !
If you take a smaller diverseness , dig up the one you have , move it , and replace it with one more appropriately sized , recommendsNorth Carolina StateUniversity Cooperative Extension .
crepe are available in a wide range of sizes , from the bush - like ‘ Enduring Summer,’available from Fast Growing tree , at four to five foot marvellous , to the towering‘Natchez , ’ which can grow to 30 foot .
to boot , severelypruningthese colourful beauties can detain their heyday period by four to eight weeks .
And , finally , remember that just because your neighbor does it does n’t mean you have to .
So What’s the Right Way?
Whereas many plants do well withspring pruning , the best clock time to trim back your crape Vinca minor is in late winter , before it leafs out . you’re able to see the branches and twigs best before it ’s all fulfill in .
fit in toClemson Cooperative Extension , if your tree is out of control with many trunks , for most crape Vinca minor you ’ll need to choose three or five main trunks to maintain .
As with many aspect of horticulture , an odd number is more esthetically pleasing than an even number . Keep straightforward , unattackable trucks that have slew of elbow room to grow .
You ’ll postulate these tools , and check that they’resharp and rusting - free :
When you ’re ready to go , here ’s the order in which you ’ll judiciously shape your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree :
1 . Prune sucker and any trunks that ask to go as near as potential to the principal bole or soil . This will avoid provide worm - vulnerable and unsightly stub .
2 . Next , you ’ll desire to crop side branches growing from your main torso up to four feet off the earth .
3 . Then , look for higher branches that are growing inward toward the center of the tree diagram , and get rid of those .
4 . trim down any subdivision that are crossing or rubbing against each other .
5 . Cut out any all in branches .
6 . Get free of branches originate at odd angles and detract from the tree ’s appearance .
7 . You may prefer to remove the seedheads at the end of the branches , or you may will them . depart them does not tighten blossom .
Now , you ’ll have a beautifully influence tree diagram quick to burst into color .
Fixing Someone Else’s Mess
lease ’s say you move into a new home and the previous owner so egregiously mauled a crepe Vinca minor that you ’re at an gross personnel casualty as to how to fix it .
Here ’s how :
Cut all the trunks whole to the ground , then carefully care the shoots that come back . Save the vigorous and decently placed shoot , and swerve the rest .
The robust root organisation tied to the sometime tree will enable rapid increase , and you ’ll have an attractive tree within a year or two .
Do You Even Need to Prune Them?
You sure as shooting can get by without doing a speck of pruning on your crapes . They will leaf out and bloom beautifully and , to the untrained optic speed by on the way to association football practice , seem quite attractive .
Over the millenary , more than one crape Vinca minor has gone un - pruned and has survive to narrate the tale .
But in your spunk of hearts , you will know that the treecouldlook much cleaner , much shapelier , and just better , with just a few quick cut on a sunny February day .
Homework Assignment
If your tree are leafed out and in full blossom , pour aglass of iced tea , sit on the porch , and look up to them . Think about how their shape might be improved .
And then , come late wintertime , rend out your tool . With visions of frail flowers trip the light fantastic in your promontory , get to work create even more spectacular trees .
Are you guilty of butchery ? Are you reform ? order us below !
© take the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more contingent . merchandise photo via Fast Growing Trees . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Gretchen Heber
