Crape myrtles are one of Texas’ most prized specimens and they grow well throughout the south. They come in a variety of color that bursts forth in summer. Crape myrtles are to summer in Texas what azaleas in the deep south in the spring. Even in the winter, their multi trunks provide interest and architecture to your landscape. There is a lot of bang for the buck when it comes to crape myrtles. There is also a lot of misinformation as to how best to care for them.
Here are our top three tips to caring for your crape myrtle trees.
Trim, don’t cut. Pruning late winter, just before spring is best. And don’t CUT your crape myrtle branches down to a nub.
Plant away from the house. Crape myrtles are multi trunk and over time the canopy can become substantial, damaging both the tree and your home.
Make sure they get lots of sun. While crape myrtles require water while they are being established, they are known to be drought tolerant and thrive in sunny environments.
Check out this article from Southern Living for more information on caring for your crape myrtles.