Reluctantartist, The correct spelling of crape myrtle is with an "a". As ltruett's link indicates, this may not be the best choice for the style of tree you want, and you might be better off replacing it with one that has a more naturally vertical form. You could however do a lot to encourage your 'Acoma' to grow into a tree form. Proper pruning and maybe even staking the plant could result in a form more like what you seek. If you leave the plant alone, like you are doing now, I don't think you can expect it to take on the form you want. You should probably make a decision to either replace it or work with it and manage its form.

dulcie2003, I don't know much about crepe myrtles (my zone is way colder than yours) but I do know that reds (the pix I googled show dynamite as a really vibrant lucious red) can be somewhat difficult to color match. I would go with small dark green shrubs and white annuals under/or around/or near the tree. (Will gardenias grow there? - if so that would be a good possibility - a 2 for 1 deal). I would then try to echo the red somewhere else in the yard (maybe pots on the porch) where a perfect match doesn't matter as much. The red crepe myrtle and the echoing reds should really pop well against your neutral house background and give it some punch, and still look very elegant. If the crepe myrtles have and off season (no flowers) you could change out the annuals or add a few perennials in another color, or soften down the red to a pink shade which would also look great with your house color.

I planted six Tight Wads last fall (very dwarf with red blooms). They are in an area where they don't get much irrigation and have to compete with tree roots. This is why I chose crape myrtles. My reasoning is anything the highway department plants in medians is TOUGH.:) They did very well during this long HOT, DRY summer. They bloomed for at least 8 to 10 weeks, though they are looking a bit tired now. When I received the plants last fall from Sooner Plant Farm they had beautiful orange foliage. I imagine it's too dry to hope for that this year. Still, so far, so good.

I would just slice through the roots. I think you should have started with 3.25 gallon crape myrtles. They are smaller but will establish faster and they are also fast growing anyway. Do what you are gonna do now. Dont dig them back up in the fall. I planted 2 of them last july and they are growing very well. Also, the trunks with multple branches emerging will always be like that. If you prune them down they will grow back like that. If you dont like it you ccan cut that leader out. As they grow and get bigger they will fill out. I might post a pic of mine later on tonight when i get home. Also, do you know what variety they are?