Crape Myrtle in Puget Sound
Merilia
12 years ago
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Embothrium
12 years agoRelated Discussions
Dynamite Crape Myrtle Not Growing!
Comments (40)I know this is an old post, but I'm sure others will find it like I did. I have three Dynamite crape myrtles all bought at different stores but all planted about 6 to 8 years ago. I've had the same exact experience with them just never growing much higher than 10 ft so far. None of them have lived up to expectations as far as size. The flowers are beautiful and I get comments all the time but how great it is from people walking by but definitely not what was intended or advertised. I frankly had wondered if the first one planted was actually its first cousin, the red rocket, because while it has all the traits of a dynamite, super red white specks when cloudy, it's growing more straight than roundish, like the red rocket was supposed to. But the two that I planted in the backyard are pretty much doing the same thing. I would doubt three different growers ripped me off but who knows? I live in Maryland, so my weather is similar to the OP. Maybe that has something to do with it, but I'm curious if people in other places had better luck with these. So far these things have turned out to be really big bushes rather than trees....See MoreCrape Myrtle Help
Comments (6)Hmmmm. Are you saying that the nursery has already topped the trees? That sort of pruning is not 'fixable', but perhaps that's not what they did. Can you let us see a picture of one of the victims? I don't like the words: "cut back" when it comes to crapemyrtles, I have to admit. Are you ordering these plants sight unseen? I feel very strongly that crapemyrtles should never be purchased that way. So much of their beauty, in my opinion, is created by a unique structure....what I call 'good bones'. You should hand pick the ones you think will grow up to be beauties. They should be a structural showpiece in the winter, too. Crapemyrtles do not need to be pruned at all. Removing their seed pods is a waste of time as the new growth will grow around the flower stems come spring. The pods and flower stems will simply fall off. Some simple detail pruning (crossing branches, inward growing branches, and similar) should be done only to enhance the physical beauty of this tree. What kind(s) are you ordering?...See MoreCrape myrtle in rocky clay
Comments (9)do start by digging a hole .... about the size of a pail.. filling it with water.. and then timing how long it takes to drain ... roots need air..as much as water .. the problem with BAD CLAY .. is it doesnt drain ... and that is why.. you dont amend a planting hole in clay ... if bad.. you are putting the plant in a pot with no drain holes ... and usually peeps use water retaining stuff in amending ... most clay soils .. though not easy to work in ... are not all that bad.. if it drains ... it is called a perk test .. and the best place for a newb to start to understand soils ... ken https://www.google.com/search?q=perk+test&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=garden+perk+test...See MoreIs anyone growing a 'Black Diamond" crape myrtle that is thriving?
Comments (71)I am in Australia and have been interested in the chat here. Crepe myrtles thrive here in an arid climate. All around town and in my garden. I have perfect conditions for trees everything grows double the size and twice the rate because I live on 30m of river soil on a flood plain. BUT the dark crepe myrtles are not only falling to thrive but slowing looking worse. We have had two very wet years but the soil has perfect drainage. Everything else in the garden around them is thriving. The common consensus here seems to be they are a weak plant. I might wait a year more and if they don't take off I am going to replace them. Thanks for thoughts everyone....See MoreEmbothrium
12 years agoplantknitter
12 years agoEmbothrium
12 years agobuyorsell888
12 years agoEmbothrium
12 years agoMerilia
12 years agomariev_seattle
12 years agoEmbothrium
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12 years agoMerilia
12 years agojstn254
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10 years agoEmbothrium
7 years ago
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