Southern Living has been telling you for 50 years how easy it is to grow the renowned crepe myrtle and how lovely it is in every season. It is the most often planted tree in the South, which should come as no surprise. Any home in a community that does not have at least one crepe myrtle appears extremely suspicious. What are the people living there doing?
It’s likely that many of you will be shopping for crepe myrtles as the fall planting season draws near, which is the ideal time to plant most trees and shrubs. Before you do, we’re going to say something so startling that it almost sounds heretical: Crepe myrtle shouldn’t be planted in some locations.
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Places You Should Not Plant Messy Crepe Myrtle Trees
Beside Your Pool
A white concrete pool deck would be perfectly shaded by the arching canopy of a crepe myrtle. On the other hand, some varieties, like “Natchez,” can bloom for a hundred days a year. Old flowers fall into the water every day when new ones open. In late summer and fall, it will also drop leaves for at least 30 days. This implies that you will spend nearly a third of a year hooked up to a pool skimmer.
Close to the House
This brings us to the main reason why people commit crepe murder. Although there are several varieties of little crepe myrtles that don’t reach a height of 6 to 12 feet (like “Acoma,” “Black Magic,” “Early Bird,” “Magic,” “Siren Red,” “Velma’s Royal Delight,” and “Zuni”),
Many individuals fail to look at the plant tag’s mature height. Furthermore, mature heights are sometimes underestimated by 5 feet or more on plant tags. The lovely, well-behaved little crepe myrtle you planted will soon be leaning over on the roof, pressing up against the gutters, and entirely obstructing the window.
The most popular remedy is to prune the troublesome tree down to unsightly 3-foot stumps. Additionally, the roots probably won’t harm the foundation of your house, but their close proximity may attract bugs and moisture.
Next to Your Driveway
In the spring, a driveway lined with a row of blooming crepe myrtles is picture-perfect. Crepe myrtles, however, are untidy trees. For weeks, those blossoms will cover your driveway and anything parked on it since what’s up must fall down. Don’t bother keeping it tidy. If you don’t blow or sweep the flowers frequently, they could dry up and leave behind brown outlines of dead flowers on the concrete or, worse, your automobile. Remember that crepe myrtles also release bark, pods, and seeds.
Too Near a Fence
Although they require a lot of space to develop, crepe myrtles make a vibrant hedge in the garden. They can reach a height of 25 feet and a width of 20 feet, depending on the type. To avoid crowding and give the canopy adequate room, plant them at least three feet away from your fencing, keeping in mind their mature size.
In the Shade
Crepe myrtles prefer bright light. They require at least six hours of sunlight each day, but they can withstand a few hours of shade. They are also extremely heat-tolerant, making them ideal for the hot temperature of the South. They might not produce many or any flowers if they don’t get the sun they require. Determine how much sunlight your tree requires based on its variety to help it put on its colorful show.
Where to Plant a Crepe Myrtle
These low-maintenance trees prefer full sun, require occasional pruning, but unlike what you may have heard, they don’t need to be chopped down every year. Plant crepe myrtles where they won’t be a bother in your yard, like in a flower bed as a colorful focal point in your front yard. They also make good container plants, so when the flowers and leaves start to fall, messy trees can be moved away from the patio. Select the appropriate size for container growing.
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