removing crepe myrtle
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (12)
- 8 years ago
Related Discussions
Crepe Myrtle (Crape Myrtle) with growth problems
Comments (2)I got this same thing on a sweet cherry tree and end up chopping it down, of course it is growing out of the side of the trunk, I decided I will let it live and see if I can treat it so the avoid that nasty soot. I noticed I have alot of lady bugs on my roses and they eat those suckers. My crapes last year got black spot. I guess crapes and roses are strongly related?? I am trying a garlic, water and milk mixture to fight the fungus and bugs (I am guessing they hate the taste of garlic since they never touch any of my garlic plants. When I spray the leaves of my roses it seems to deter the bugs not sure just yet just experimenting. japanesse beetles dont' seem to be a problem, one year they showed themselves but didn't last long and didn't do much damage to anything. some people just use a strong spray of the hose to get rid of the aphids they can't climb back up once they are knocked off. I have alot of acrage and birds galore I am sure they eat the bugs and that is why I seldom have a problem with them, yet. RR...See MoreCrepe Myrtles in Rose Beds
Comments (38)Since I have taken the time to read this entire thread, I will go ahead and post. We live in Tulsa,perhaps the northern most area to grow the crape myrtles. I have more than 10 of them, and just love them. I do not like the bush look, so each year I cut out growth from the ground, and limit the tree to about 3 or 4 trunks. I cut the tree down in the winter to about 5 feet, I prune the outer branches up to about my shoulder height. I take all of the clutter out of the center, and once it begins to grow, I cut many of the new limbs from the center. What I end up with is a very pretty little tree. The limbs are heavy enough to slope down, but do not interfere with my roses. The tree is 8-10 feet tall, and the branches are not packed in. The wind and sun gets through, and it has very little Powdery Mildew. They told me on the Tree Forum that the roses will not catch the powdery mildew from the Crape Myrtles, and that seems to be true. I have never sprayed a crape myrtle, and in the front where I have 2 white ones, I think they look very pretty when they glow in the evening. One of the ones in the back is purple, and had a huge trunk. We cut it to the ground, and it has sprung right back up. The new growth will be easy to cut when I get a chance, and we will have to begin digging down, and cutting out the roots. I think the big difference between us is that we have cold enough winters, that we can more easily prune them, and shape them as we please. Some people call it crape murder, but we don't do that, we carefully prune so it looks pretty. I am glad that I followed this thread because we do have problems with ants, and I intend to return to the link to see what it says about ants. Sammy...See MoreGarden Do-Over Needed - but how?
Comments (8)I've been there. Having a total mess of a garden area in front of me and not knowing what to do with it to fix it. Frankly, I spent a lot of time just looking at it from every angle, even walking down the street and turning around to stare at it. It may sound goofy to some, but eventually I started visualizing a shrub here and there, a sort of meandering path, maybe a stone garden bench. The side yard no longer looks like a chopped down weedy, twiggy mess. It looks really nice, people compliment me on it. Never did get the stone bench. Turned out that there were so many areas in the side yard where there was too much ledge or big roots from trees either living or dead, that I had to adjust my hole digging to that. The bench would have gone right in a good digging spot. Anyway....just kind of try to relax your fevered brain for this summer. I have a couple of big stumps in my back yard that we keep meaning to have ground down, meanwhile, I have big tub planters on them. I put trailing annuals in them and the effect is pretty nice. If the grasses are too messy, grit your teeth and cut down cut some of them down to the ground. If there are things you're sure you don't want use the method described by someone else here. Gather up a whole lot of newspaper and layer it on the stuff you want to kill off. The thicker the paper layer is, the less mulch you'll have to use to top it off. I used that method in my side yard to smother the vast area of weeds and vines that was there and it did a pretty good job. I put my wad of newspapers in a bucket with a few inches of water in it to dampen them. Don't try to do this on a windy day. You'll want your sheets of newspaper to be laying out flat wherever possible, 5 to 15 layers of paper thick. Have a bag or bucket of mulch with you at all times. Lay down the damp paper and when you have a square yard or so covered, dump some mulch on it to weigh the paper down. When your area is pappered, spread at least a couple of inches of mulch on it. Make sure your papers overlap each other. Some stubborn plantlife will manage to find its way through any cracks. Those you can give a shot of roundup to through the summer. You'll get pesky little wind blown weed seeds sprouting in the mulch, get rid of those weeds before they have a chance to settle in. The rest of the summer grab a lawn chair and sit and look at the yard til a vision of what you want starts to emerge. All it takes is one idea in just one spot to get you rolling. Buy garden magazines and get books out of the library for inspiration. Don't let yourself get carried away, I've been there then wanted to kick myself. I wish you well....See MoreTour of my garden - lot of pics and questions
Comments (7)1. Yes, that is black spot on your roses. 2. Yes, you can prune your privet. I prune my privet up from the bottom like a crape myrtle to create a small tree. I underplant it with shade plants like columbine, ferns, etc. Pruning it up will give you the same options - more space for planting perennials giving the garden more color and texture. 3. Best groundcover? I think it would be whatever you want to plant under that tree. It is small now, but will get shadier as it gets larger, so think of things that might transition well into a shady condition in the future. How about growing rock rose under your sweet gum? It blooms in sun or part shade. Autumn sage would work too. 4. Rose pruning should have been done in February. I wouldn't worry about pruning it now. I have read that you really don't need to prune that rose, but it will grow to around 6-8 feet tall and wide. Let it grow this summer and if you still want to prune it next February, then wait until then. 5. It looks like that third one is growing. Maybe try moving some of the mulch away from the base. It might be smothering the roots too much. Sometimes pulling the mulch away a bit will help it grow better because the sun can get to any new buds that may be hidden under the mulch. Another thing that helps is to "fluff" the mulch a bit with a digging fork. Sometimes it gets so packed down, that it makes it difficult for air and water to penetrate. So, just loosening it up a bit will help all your plants. 6. If the Belinda's dream roses are going to be in the shade (roses not receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) due to the crape myrtle, I would move the roses now since that would be easier if you just planted them. The crape myrtle can also be moved to a different location if it is also newly planted, but would be difficult now if it is established. You might have a problem with transplant shock. Good luck with your garden. It looks very nice!...See MoreRelated Professionals
Norfolk Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wakefield Landscape Contractors · Azalea Park Landscape Contractors · Federal Way Landscape Contractors · Flagstaff Landscape Contractors · Hoover Landscape Contractors · Lakeville Landscape Contractors · Longmont Landscape Contractors · New Brighton Landscape Contractors · Saint George Landscape Contractors · Sammamish Landscape Contractors · Sun City Center Landscape Contractors · Framingham Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Hershey Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Montgomery County Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures- 8 years ago
- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Crape Myrtle
With long-lasting blooms and gorgeous exfoliating bark, this ornamental tree brings bright color and a unique form to the landscape
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio
Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESHouzz Tour: Arts and Crafts Cottage Gets a Lively Remake
An interior designer uses color, light and historical touches to brighten up a 1920s Sydney home
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Sambucus Nigra
Common elderberry is a highly adaptable shrub from the eastern U.S., with berries galore for wildlife and humans alike
Full Story
CURB APPEALTake Your Hell Strip to Heavenly Heights: 8 Design Ideas
Trade weedy dirt and trash for a parking strip filled with wispy grasses, low-growing flowers and textural trees
Full Story
SAVING WATERHouzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?
Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESWhat to Plant for Autumn Color in Mild-Winter Gardens
These shrubs and trees put on a beautiful fall show without the big chill of colder regions
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNThe 7 Best Plant Types for Creating Privacy and How to Use Them
Follow these tips for using different kinds of plants as living privacy screens
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNPretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots
Choose trees for their size, shape and rate of growth — or shape them to fit your space. Here's how to get started
Full Story
EXTERIORSWhere Front Yards Collide: Property Lines in Pictures
Some could be twins; others channel the Odd Couple. You may never look at property boundaries the same way again
Full Story
Sara Malone Zone 9b