Prune the dwarf in early spring Pruning in winter would subject the tree to diseases while dormant Trim the tree to an odd number of main trunks by trimming to ground level the unwanted trunks Then thin the top of the tree for airflow and appearance Use a granular slow release fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer You should see an increase in growth and blooms that spring Deep water once a week during growth season Do not water if soil is moist or during winter The dwarf crepe myrtle is a beautiful plant and will bring you pleasure for many years if properly cared for!

Gigim, I did see the other conversation. Personally, I might have planted it a little further out, because I like some clearance around plants and that crape myrtle will fill up that space pretty quickly. I don't think moving it is a necessity though. Most commercial nurseries would probably have planted it that close when doing a landscape job. You can prune the plant as it grows to keep it from growing over into your way on the steps. Also, I think examining the plant in context (even more than we can see in the other thread's picture) is important. In other words, looking at a picture is not like being there. Bottom line for spacing is for you to imagine the plant at it's "mature" size (and it will almost surely grow larger than that, eventually) and go from there. A simplistic definition for adventitious root is a root that grow from the trunk, above the original root flare, when the lower part of the trunk is buried below the surface. A plant will grow these roots to compensate for being planted too deeply. Probably the biggest trouble with planting a tree a little too deeply is that adventitious roots can grow around the trunk and become girdling roots as they and the tree grow larger. If planted a lot too deep (a relative thing), lower roots may die off due to a lack of oxygen. From your description and the picture, it's very unlikely that your crape is planted deep enough for this problem, especially if it's in reasonably well draining soil.

"Established" crape myrtles like full sun and heat, but those just put into the ground at the height of summer heat will go into shock, esp. without proper watering (Ken will tell you how, he loves doing that lol). You might even rig something up to give them some shade during the middle of the day for the next several weeks and water the root zone deeply. Speaking of zones, what zone (or area of the country) are you in?

Crepes around here tend to be shrubs rather than trees. I started this one from seed about a dozen years ago (a Park Seed "crepe myrtlette" variety) and it's mostly a die-back perennial/shrub depending on the winter (in a mild one, half or more of the wood might survive), starting to flower anywhere from July to September. It's the current star of the mixed perennial/shrub border. Now, if a newer generation of "dwarf crepe myrtles" from seed would only get into the flowering act (up to seven feet in height in 4 years, but yet to bloom).