Brian Jarvis Ask the Master Gardener
Summer can be a tough season for many of our garden plants, but there is one plant that loves summer: the crape myrtle. For this reason, crape myrtle is undoubtedly one of the most popular plants found in the Oklahoma landscape.
Crape myrtles are hardy and once they bloom, they'll have beautiful flowers for the rest of the growing season. And while summer is the worst time to plant most trees and shrubs, it's the best time to plant them. Here's what you need to know:
Crape myrtles can be categorized into four types based on their size. First, there is the standard tree type of Crape myrtles, which usually grows to a height of 15-35 feet. Next, there is the shrub type, which grows to a height of 6-15 feet, and then there is the dwarf type, which usually does not grow taller than 6 feet.
Recently, new varieties of crape myrtles have been added: creeping varieties that grow along the ground. These are perfect for hanging baskets or planted next to a wall so they hang down. Either way, you have a few options. It's a good idea to buy a plant whose mature size is appropriate for your location so you don't have to prune your crape myrtles “crepe murder style” (just cut off the top of the plant).
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Crape myrtles thrive best in locations with full sun and relatively tolerant soil conditions. As we mentioned before, they love the heat, but even better, they can tolerate occasional drought. All of this makes them a great plant for Oklahoma.
Once you've picked the perfect Crape Myrtle, it's time to plant it. When planting, dig a hole two to three times wider than the container the plant was in. No one likes digging holes, but the extra time you spend digging a properly sized hole will pay off.
Dig a hole wider than the container, but deep enough so that the root ball is about 2 inches above the soil, and leave the soil at the bottom of the hole intact. This gives the crape myrtle a firm base to stand on and prevents it from sinking.
The size and location of the plant will determine whether you need to support it. If it's several feet tall and in an open area exposed to the wind, you may want to stake it. To support it, place two or three stakes in the ground to form a triangle around the plant and secure the plant to the stakes. The stakes should be loose enough to allow the plant to sway, but tight enough to support it. The stakes should be attached loosely to the tree so as not to restrict its growth.
Once planted, the next step is hydration. Generally, new crape myrtles need about an inch of water per week, though if it's very hot, they'll probably need more.
Finally, plan to put down mulch around your newly planted tree to create a weed barrier and minimize competition between the grass and weeds and the newly planted tree. Keep the mulch away from the base of the tree.
If you follow these steps, you will be able to enjoy your crape myrtle for years to come. Good luck!
To get answers to all your gardening questions, call the Tulsa Master Gardeners Helpline at 918-746-3701, visit the Diagnostic Center at 4116 E. 15th Street, or email us at mg@tulsamastergardeners.org.
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