Neighborhoods are a bloom with crape myrtles but I can tell many
residents are still not happy with their plants. Why you ask? It's
mainly because they bought the wrong variety. Or maybe they did not have
a choice -- the wrong variety was planted for them.
Crape Myrtle
(Click to Enlarge)
Photo by Tom MacCubbin
You can tell the unhappy residents by the plants that have been cut back
time and time again. Often this is due to the fact that the wrong crape
myrtle was planted. Did you know these plants come in a large assortment
of sizes? Some are dwarf and ground cover-like. There are others that
range upwards to tall trees over 20 feet tall and wide.
So which crape myrtle would you like? Chances are you are not going to
be happy selecting them just by color. You have to get to know your
crape myrtles by name. The problem is many garden centers just display
their plants by color. So you have to ask about the varieties. If they
don't know the variety names then I would go some where else.
Oh
yes, now is also the time to pick out the variety by name and color.
Some mistakes are made at the nursery and colors may be switched. So if
you want a crape myrtle that fits in to the space you want you have to
be selective and track down the variety.
How do you know the best
crape myrtles? Check out the University of Florida guide to the types
that grow locally. It also list powdery mildew resistance, bark color
and more. You can get a free copy by calling your local Extension
office. Or you might visit the University's web site at
www.solutionsforyourlife.com to find a copy.
When you have
the right crape myrtle for your yard it should be a relatively carefree
plant with little pruning needed. Most are great looking plants if left
to grow naturally.
