Crepe Myrtles are ubiquitous throughout the South including Florida due to their drought tolerance and prolific summertime blooms. These misunderstood plants create uncertainty for homeowners and landscape services alike. Is it a tree? A shrub? Should I prune it? If so how?
Maybe the misunderstandings come from the diversity of crepe myrtle species and their origin. Originally from China and Japan, crepe myrtles were introduced in the US around 150 years ago according to our friends at IFAS. Adding to the confusion an aggressive breeding program over the past few decades has yielded more bloom colors, ornamental bark, ornamental foliage and vigorous growth habits.
With so many choices in type of crepe myrtles available homeowners and landscape providers are bound to choose a wrong plant for the wrong place. Typically you see tree sized crepe mryles planted too close to homes. This results in the dreaded "crepe murder" pruning "technique". Other times someone decides this is how to prune this plant whether or not it is close to a structure. In fact, crepe myrtles need little to no pruning.
Crepe murder is simply topping the plant to a specific height usually as high as the landscape guy can reach with a chainsaw. This results in a bizarre-looking plant where shoots develop that often cannot support the weight of the bloom. The initial topping creates an ongoing dilemma. What do I do next year? Top the shoots? Or top the whole plant again just lower down? Or prune the shoots entirely? Any way you go, the murdered crepe myrtle is now doomed. Removal and replanting are typically the only way to solve the problem. Other pruning techniques include pruning the tips or creating "knuckles" but trimming shoots off year after year. None of these are recommended per IFAS experts.
You don't typically see other plants or trees topped this way. It's odd that only crepe myrtles seem eligible for this dreaded fate. If left alone they will bloom into lovely, shade-producing, wildlife-hosting trees. Take a drive across 16th Avenue in Gainesville to see a great variety of colors, sizes, and habits of crepe myrtles. Many varieties are available for purchase at local greenhouses or big box stores. A full list of species including sizes is available online at IFAS. When planting keep the full size in mind to avoid crowding buildings or other plants.
Crepe myrtles are a lovely addition to any Florida landscape. The color varieties and even bark make this a beautiful tree year-round. Plant in full sun and hand water until established. Once established, watering and fertilizer are not necessary. And as with many trees, take care to prune lightly and sparingly to enjoy the full majesty of your crepe myrtle.
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Maybe the misunderstandings come from the diversity of crepe myrtle species and their origin. Originally from China and Japan, crepe myrtles were introduced in the US around 150 years ago according to our friends at IFAS. Adding to the confusion an aggressive breeding program over the past few decades has yielded more bloom colors, ornamental bark, ornamental foliage and vigorous growth habits.
With so many choices in type of crepe myrtles available homeowners and landscape providers are bound to choose a wrong plant for the wrong place. Typically you see tree sized crepe mryles planted too close to homes. This results in the dreaded "crepe murder" pruning "technique". Other times someone decides this is how to prune this plant whether or not it is close to a structure. In fact, crepe myrtles need little to no pruning.
Crepe murder is simply topping the plant to a specific height usually as high as the landscape guy can reach with a chainsaw. This results in a bizarre-looking plant where shoots develop that often cannot support the weight of the bloom. The initial topping creates an ongoing dilemma. What do I do next year? Top the shoots? Or top the whole plant again just lower down? Or prune the shoots entirely? Any way you go, the murdered crepe myrtle is now doomed. Removal and replanting are typically the only way to solve the problem. Other pruning techniques include pruning the tips or creating "knuckles" but trimming shoots off year after year. None of these are recommended per IFAS experts.
You don't typically see other plants or trees topped this way. It's odd that only crepe myrtles seem eligible for this dreaded fate. If left alone they will bloom into lovely, shade-producing, wildlife-hosting trees. Take a drive across 16th Avenue in Gainesville to see a great variety of colors, sizes, and habits of crepe myrtles. Many varieties are available for purchase at local greenhouses or big box stores. A full list of species including sizes is available online at IFAS. When planting keep the full size in mind to avoid crowding buildings or other plants.
Crepe myrtles are a lovely addition to any Florida landscape. The color varieties and even bark make this a beautiful tree year-round. Plant in full sun and hand water until established. Once established, watering and fertilizer are not necessary. And as with many trees, take care to prune lightly and sparingly to enjoy the full majesty of your crepe myrtle.
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