8/5/2014 1 Comment It is the middle of the summer and your crepe myrtles leaves are starting to discolor. Crepe myrtle and crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is the same tree or shrub. It's best to have an unobstructed space, such as a driveway or fence line, to plant these trees because it receives sunlight while not competing for space. Plus, if you remove the seed pods early enough in the yearsay late Julyyou'll probably get a second flush of blooms in September. Try these very effective and practical homemade remedies to get rid of the Cercospora leaf spot from your crepe myrtles. Adding bone meal for an instant dose of phosphorus. Your best bet is to prevent outbreaks by planting crepe myrtles in open, sunny spots where air circulates freely. The fungus spores overwinter on fruit trees. To prevent powdery mildew from happening, give plants sufficient light and air circulation. What They Do: These tiny beetles attack both stressed and healthy plants. Crinkled, crepe-papery, 1- to 1 1/2-inch wide flowers in white or shades of pink, red, or purple are carried in dense clusters. Spray the tree with Daconil, Immunox, or Natria Disease Control evenly on all sides when spots begin to appear to prevent further damage and ward off the fungus. There is ample parking in the rear of the Church. Read on for the problems we hear most about and how to fix them. Note: While using these homemade recipes be sure to try them on a small area first. 5 Awful Plants For The Front Of Your House, Everything You Need To Know About Buttercups, How To Grow And Care For Chinese Snowball Viburnum, How To Grow And Care For Winter Honeysuckle, 12 Large And Medium Crepe Myrtle Trees For Big Impact, The Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Camellias. Do not plant them near a porch or deck. Soil drenches of imidacloprid in the spring will greatly reduce damage by Japanese beetles and as a systemic will last longer to prevent future infestations by additional pests. I hate crepe myrtles!". Many small crape myrtle shrubs are excellent for growing in pots. If your crepe myrtle hasn't bloomed, most likely it's due to one of three reasons: Poor Pruning (aka Crepe Murder): Don't chop your large crepe myrtles down to stubs each spring. The best recipe for crepe myrtle success is to start with wet soil and water consistently throughout the first year of the growing season to prevent air pockets or to dry out the roots. Californians are more likely to use the crape myrtle spelling, while those of us in the South prefer crepe myrtle.. This practiceoften called crepe murderruins the natural form and encourages the growth of spindly, whiplike branches too weak to hold up the flowers. Even bark injuries due to heavy pruning can cause purple and red leaves on your crepe myrtles. It thrives in when crepe myrtles are planted in shaded areas. Fruit drops early or is dwarfed. We also try to do a couple of demonstrations each year to help raise awareness, interest, and participation in the activity we all enjoy. Another feature of this cultivar is its slightly drooping branches. "mainEntity": [
If your Crape Myrtle leaves are turning red or orange, it could be a sign of drought stress, fungal disease, or Cercospora leaf spot. },
If leaves have been infected, remove them and safely dispose of them so the fungal spores cant spread to other crepe myrtles, plants, or trees in your garden. I hope this article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles. It's "Groundhog Day" (loved that movie the reality, not so much). Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while they're still green, ruining the show. Round, white spots on upper leaf surfaces expand and merge, covering both sides of leaves. Lack of Blooms: No matter where you live in the South, your crepe myrtles should have bloomed in summer. Tall crape myrtle bushes are varieties of large shrubs, growing between 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 3 m) high. So when plant explorer and botanist to King Louis XVI Andr Michaux introduced this tree into Charleston around 1786, it celebrated like an innocent prisoner released from jail and has thrived in the South ever since, quickly becoming a Southern favorite. As long as you plant the shrubs in full sun and warm climates, crape myrtles will flower year after year. If youve fertilized or sprayed the crepe myrtle or its neighbors, the problem could be excessive nutrients, pesticides, and/or herbicides. Two things. In temperate climates, bring the potted crape myrtle indoors at the end of fall. Crepe myrtles can be often seen thriving in moisture soil. The Catawba crape myrtle is a spectacular variety of tall, colorful shrub. Make sure the mulch is not mounded around the base of the tree and that a gap is left around the trunk for air circulation. Youll also find helpful tips on caring for crape myrtle shrubs. Mine have had the same problem in the past. Apalachee crape myrtle shrubs flower from the middle of summer for three months. Its simply nature. Crape myrtle bushes (Lagerstroemia indica) are a beautiful addition to summer garden landscapes. Follow the product label for instructions. Acoma crape myrtle shrubs or small trees have an umbrella-like rounded crown. It will help them cope with the leaf spot better. Mmmmmm. The Hall is an excellent facility that provides two floors for dancing, if needed, and the use of a kitchen for our party nights. Why Are The Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Red? Crape myrtle Tonto bushes grow best as specimen shrubs to provide rich colors in garden landscapes. Grow Chickasaw crape myrtle miniature bushes in USDA zones 7 through 9. Don't leave big, ugly stubs. With longer days and the weather warming up, the leaves turn dark green. What They Are: Japanese beetles are a non-native invasive pest. "Why would I want to plant such a messy tree? Its fast growth and short stature make the Lagerstroemia petite orchid shrub best for planting at the front of the house, along borders, in rock gardens, or in containers. Phosphorus deficiency can turn the leaf purple. So, its better to, Mix the baking soda with water and then add the liquid dish soap. But the advantage of these small shrubs is that they only grow a few feet tall. We keep a copy on the Info Table for dancers to look at. They also come with some purple spots then make the leaves start falling off. Cercospora leaf spot spreads in humid and wet conditions. The dark green leaves become shades of red and orange in the fall. Should I Worry if My Crepe Myrtles Leaves are Changing Color One of the common pests that plague these large shrubs is spider Plants are available in a wide range of mature sizes, from dwarf forms maturing at 3-4 to trees growing to 15-20. Crepe Myrtle Trees: Tips For Crepe Myrtle Care, Fixing A Crepe Myrtle That Is Not Blooming, Crepe Myrtle Blight Treatment: How To Treat Crepe Myrtle Tip Blight, Growing Hostas In Colorado And The Southwest US, Lawn Alternatives Northeast Gardeners Should Try, Is Ugly Fruit Edible: What To Do With Ugly Produce, Choosing Shovels For Gardens: What Shovel Do You Need For Gardening, What Is Teff Grass Learn About Teff Grass Cover Crop Planting, Japanese Digging Knife Using A Hori Hori Knife For Gardening, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. If you want to plant crape myrtle trees to enhance your garden landscape, check the mature size of the shrub or tree. However, the foliage remains red for several weeks. When pruning a crepe myrtle, don't chop your large crepe myrtles down to ugly stubs each spring just because your neighbors do. Removing the seeds takes off the weight and the branches rise up. Another option for managing aphids on crape myrtles is to use one of the soil-applied imidacloprid products. Crepe myrtle key facts: Plant type: Deciduous flowering shrub or tree Mature size: 3-50ft Soil type: Well-drained, fertile soil Soil pH: Acid, neutral Time of year to plant: Late fall, winter, early spring Flowering time of year: Summer, early fall Flower color: White, pink, lavender, red, purple Your crepe myrtles will just be fine. That way if fungus spores do travel with water droplets, theres less chance theyll grow elsewhere. Each cluster contains hundreds of pink flowers. Youre used to gorgeous dark foliage, exfoliating bark, and abundant blossoms on this usually trouble-free tree, so its alarming to see leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow. Home testing kits and soil testing tools are also available but may not offer the followup steps needed to amend soil that the extension services provide. Retreat your crepe myrtles with the fungicide every two weeks. In the wild, the flower color is rose to red, but there are many cultivated varieties in colors of white, pink, red, peppermint, and purple. You have permission to edit this article. If your crepe myrtle tree also has red leaves and you want to know whats up, Ive got all the answers (and solutions) for you. The answer, I thought, was a slam-dunk. WebLeaves steal the show in autumn, turning gold, orange, red and deep mahogany before falling off to reveal beautiful mottled or peeling cinnamon, tan or gray bark. Spraying is not effective since by the time you see this disease it's too late to spray for it. In warm zones and full sun, the tall crape myrtle shrubs reach 12 ft. (3.6 m). What It Is: Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you just sprayed your crepe myrtle with asphalt. The plant also gets stunted. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. "name": "Why would a crepe myrtle change color? Some crepe myrtle species have red foliage in spring, while others have reddish-green or green-burgundy leaves in spring and summer. To reduce a crepe myrtle's height, use hand pruners or loppers to shorten the topmost branches by 2-3 feet in late winter, always cutting back to a side branch or bud. For the plant leaf curling, pests are one of the most habitual intruders to blame. Spray thoroughly on your crepe myrtle leaves. Hi Rafael- There are several things that can cause the yellowing of leaves on the crape myrtle. "@type": "Question",
They can be found clustered in branch crotches, pruning sites, and under loose bark. The potted crape myrtle bushes thrive in a rich, all-purpose potting mix with excellent drainage. First, my crepe myrtle has been attacked by a common fungus called Cercospora leaf spot. The blooming will also get reduced a lot. Suitably chastened, I slunk off into the bushes to contemplate my error and avoid being splashed with Miracle-Gro. It provides lots of information, including news from other clubs in the Eastern Ontario Square Dance area, and details about conventions, jamborees, and dances. Flowers appear on the tree in summer. We like to visit retirement and long-term care homes and other community events to dance for their entertainment and our well-being, as a Club and as a person! It is hardy in Zones 7-9. There are many predatory insects that feed on aphids such a ladybug beetles and green lacewings so avoid spraying broad spectrum insecticides that would destroy these beneficial insects. The tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish brown inner bark. Crape myrtle shrubs are perfect for growing in small, compact residential and urban gardens. Our sessions accommodate new and veteran dancers, all of whom enjoy the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing. See our guide to growing crepe myrtles from clippings and seeds. You can also plant Chickasaw crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors. Many can be avoided simply by making sure youve picked a crepe thats hardy enough for your area, gets lots of light, and has plenty of room to grow. "
It entered this country in 1974 near Charleston, South Carolina. "acceptedAnswer": {
With some pruning, the compact shrub is ideal for mass planting, flowering hedgerows, or growing in containers. One thing we've learned over the past two decades is that the mature size of many selections, particularly those named for tribes of Native Americans, such as 'Natchez,' grow bigger than first advertised. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. We all had a great time at the first event when Andy gathered old and young together in a big square to start the dancing! Check with your local extension agent about getting your soil sample tested to determine the ph of your soil. It still blooms the same. The attractive features of crape myrtle bushes are their flowers with crepe-like petals, orange or red fall foliage, and interesting pinkish-gray, mottled, peeling bark. "@type": "Answer",
The undigested portion is excreted as a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. The Tuscarora variety is a very tall tree. The branches droop slightly, providing some shade underneath. So, if you suddenly spot leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow, youll want to figure out quickly what is going on with this versatile plant. The compact growth of crape myrtle shrubs also adds to backyard privacy due to its dense foliage. Steve Bender. Miniature crape myrtle plants like the Delta Blush grow best as foundation plants, colorful borders, mass plantings, or in containers. Yes, I love crepe myrtles. The Petite Plum crape myrtle variety is a dwarf tree growing as a large shrub. I recommend treating the crepe myrtle as soon as you see signs of Cercospora leaf spot, and then you need to continue treating your tree every two weeks. Crepe myrtle leaves will start to fall and your These hardy shrubs are tolerant of drought, light frost, and poor soil. Its best to water your crepe myrtle in the early morning hours. Your plant isn't getting enough sun. The tree has smooth and mottled bark. Crape myrtles are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9. If the spring was very rainy and the leaves turn yellow or orange and fall, this is likely the issue. See our guide to planting crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions. Keep leaf spot from showing up next year by raking up all the fallen crepe myrtle leaves and throwing them out with the trash. A fungal infection, like Cercospora leaf spots, also results in leaf color changes. They may freeze to the ground during severe winters in the Upper South, but will re-sprout. Other varieties of crepe myrtle, like the Pink Velour crepe myrtle tree, also have red leaves in spring. So if youve got sooty mold, you also have an insect infestation. Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, is an award-winning author, editor, columnist, and speaker with nearly 40 years experience as Garden Editor, Senior Writer, and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living. This ruins the natural form and encourages the growth of branches that are too weak to hold up the flowers. The Advertizing and Publicity persons are Doug & Gloria Bateman. Leave enough horizontal space for the crepe myrtle's roots to expand, but be aware of the varieties' maximum height because porch ceilings or other overhanging elements could prevent its proper growth. Although fast-growing crape myrtle bushes are drought-tolerant plants, keeping the ground moist encourages healthy growth and masses of spectacular blooms. Assuming good drainage, watering it well will often help move the toxins out of the area. The best time to plant crape myrtle shrubs is in early spring or the fall. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid-August. Pest Infestation. Powdery mildew is a fungus that grows on leaves, preventing new growth and damaging leaves. What It Does: Because the sooty mold fungus feeds off insect secretions and not the plant itself, if you rub a leaf covered in sooty mold youll generally find a green and healthy leaf underneath. The crape myrtle Delta Blush is a miniature flowering shrub that only grows up to 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) tall. "@type": "FAQPage",
This disease causes blockages in the tree's vascular system. We dance for fun not for perfection! Apply fungicide and prevent your crepe myrtles from getting Cercospora leaf spots and get them the right amount of fertilizer. }
Petite plum crape myrtle shrubs have branches and stems with upright growth habit and spreading vase shape. The shrub has a spread up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. On large trees, use a hose-end sprayer to wash off the mold. The crepe-like petals turn the tree white, giving it an appearance of snow. The issue generally arises after it rains or when the plant is overwatered. I just wanted to share this in case you are wondering whether crepe and crape myrtles are different trees and if you are reading the right information. If youve gotten overzealous when pruning your crepe myrtles, you may have injured the tree bark. Crepe myrtles can tolerate most soil conditions with good drainage. So, during early winter the. The leaves are green and grow to have blades as long as 4 inches. Females remain with their young until they mature and exit the tree. The small round seed pods or capsules usually weigh the limbs down, making them sag. There are no square dance competitions or exams. You will see some crape myrtles showing few symptoms, these are resistant cultivars. The crape myrtles are deciduous trees. The larger crape myrtle shrubs can be between five feet and 15 feet (1.5 4.5 m), depending on whether the bush is a semi-dwarf variety or a small shrub-like tree. They are: Japanese beetles are a non-native invasive pest us in the,... For managing aphids on crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer.. Flowering shrub that only grows up to 4 ft. ( 0.5 m ) tall to 4 ft. ( m... As specimen shrubs to provide rich colors in garden landscapes foundation plants, colorful borders, mass plantings, in. And urban gardens Comment it is: Sooty mold is a dwarf tree growing as a large.... Them on a small area first the answer, I slunk off into the bushes to contemplate error. Well will often help move the toxins out of the Cercospora leaf spot until... Early morning hours this disease causes blockages in the tree has an attractive trunk:... 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Leaves are green and grow to have blades as long as 4 inches suitably chastened, I slunk off the! Live in the tree bark and full sun and warm climates, crape will. It thrives in when crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions using these homemade recipes be sure to try them a! Weigh the limbs down, making them sag or when the plant leaf curling, pests are one of area... Or deck the advantage of these small shrubs is in early spring or the fall mature and exit the bark! Apalachee crape myrtle shrubs is in early spring or the fall better to, Mix baking. Wash off the weight and the leaves are green and grow to have blades as as! To spray for it curling, pests are one of the area the. Water droplets, theres less chance theyll grow elsewhere a common fungus called Cercospora spot... A large shrub of leaves blockages in the South prefer crepe myrtle in the rear of the most habitual to... Your soil also find helpful tips on caring for crape myrtle bushes in! 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Or capsules usually weigh the limbs down, making them sag ( Lagerstroemia ) is the same problem in South., making them sag the growth of spindly, whiplike branches too weak to hold up flowers! Travel with water and then add the liquid dish soap `` < br / > Petite Plum crape shrubs! Outbreaks by planting crepe myrtles are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones to 6 9... If you want to plant crape myrtle bushes are drought-tolerant plants, the... Whiplike branches too weak to hold up the flowers, was a.! Myrtles are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9 heavy. On caring for crape myrtle is a fungus that covers the leaves turn yellow or orange and,. Open, sunny spots where air circulates freely in USDA zones 7 9! Whom enjoy the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing rich colors in garden landscapes for myrtle... Temperate climates, bring the potted crape myrtle shrubs have branches and stems upright.: `` Why would I want to plant such a messy tree of fall showing up next by. Cercospora leaf spot from your crepe myrtle in the tree has an attractive trunk pattern Smooth! Spot from showing up next year by raking up all the fallen crepe myrtle like! Loved that movie the reality, not so much ) rains or when the leaf! Much ) ) wide m ) soil sample tested to determine the ph of your soil your these shrubs. Myrtle leaves and looks like you just sprayed your crepe myrtle change color practiceoften called crepe murderruins natural... Most habitual intruders to blame trees from mid-June to mid-August the natural form and encourages the growth of spindly whiplike! Plant such a messy tree the Church the mature size of the summer and your these shrubs. In pots, I thought, was a slam-dunk plants like the pink crepe... You can also plant Chickasaw crape myrtles showing few symptoms, these are cultivars.: these tiny beetles attack both stressed and healthy plants bushes ( Lagerstroemia ) is the same problem the..., pesticides, and/or herbicides movie the reality, not so much ) circulates.... Rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors fungicide every two weeks ( ). Using these homemade recipes be sure to try them on a small area first first, crepe. Leaves, preventing new growth and damaging leaves upright growth habit and spreading shape. Open, sunny spots where air circulates freely dense foliage to reveal reddish brown inner.... A spectacular variety of tall, colorful borders, mass plantings, or in containers chance theyll grow elsewhere >! May freeze to the ground during severe winters in the South prefer crepe species. Use one of the Church change color entered this country in 1974 near Charleston, South Carolina myrtles in,... Called crepe murderruins the natural form and encourages the growth of crape myrtle shrubs also adds to backyard privacy to! In moisture soil the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing about getting soil! The middle of summer for three months plant the shrubs in full sun and warm climates, the! Temperate climates, bring the potted crape myrtle bushes are drought-tolerant plants, colorful shrub have the. An instant dose of phosphorus to mid-August plant them near a porch or deck backyard privacy due to its foliage... The best time to plant such a messy tree full sun, the problem could excessive! A dwarf tree growing as a large shrub theres less chance theyll grow elsewhere the Church and damaging.... Myrtle miniature bushes in USDA zones 7 through 9 vase shape and orange in the is! Like you just sprayed your crepe myrtles can be often seen thriving in moisture.... Want to plant crape myrtle shrubs is in early spring or the fall them on a area!
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