Did you know Crapemyrtles are the state shrub of Texas? These captivating plants will update any landscape with gorgeous blooms, stunning foliage, and beautiful bark during the winter months. They are extremely versatile, heat-tolerant, and fast-growing. Crapemyrtles provide gorgeous year-round appeal to every Texas garden!
How to Plant Crapemyrtles in your Texas Garden
Crapemyrtles are extremely low-maintenance and adaptable plants. They are tolerant of urban pollution and our hot Texas summers. This versatile plant can be pruned and trained to fill your garden as a tree or shrub, depending on your ideal look. Here are some helpful tips on planting your Crapemyrtle to ensure thriving, continued growth.
1- CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
Planning and selecting the right location for your Crapemyrtle is key. Knowing the best area to plant and providing the ideal conditions will ensure you get the most beauty and blooms year after year.
Decide in advance if you want your Crapemyrtle to be a shrub or a tree, and plant in an area that allows room for that growth. The Centennial Spirit Crapemyrtle is a great choice for a stunning ornamental shrub or small tree. It produces volumes of red blooms in the summer, followed by orange-red fall foliage.
Crapemyrtle trees can grow at least 20 ft tall and can have a spread of 15-20 ft at maturity. Crapemyrtle varieties can vary in size, so always be sure to keep your plant tag for the most accurate growing and care information for your selection. Choose a space that receives at least 6 hours of full sun per day because Crapemyrtle sun exposure is essential to the production of their amazing, prolific blooms.
2- PREPARE THE SOIL
Properly preparing the soil for your Crapemyrtle is important. They prefer rich, acidic, well-draining soils to thrive.
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and mix in equal parts of Calloway’s Premium Tree & Shrub Garden Soil.
Our Premium Tree & Shrub Soil provides a balanced and fertile environment for your plants. The water-saving ingredients help to loosen the soil, allowing for proper air and water penetration, while also offering excellent water-holding capabilities. The organic ingredients promote aeration, facilitating rapid root growth and enhancing nutrient retention. The addition of beneficial mycorrhizae aids in nutrient uptake, further supporting the overall health of your Crapemyrtles.
3- PLANTING YOUR CRAPEMYRTLE
Before planting, treat your new Crapemyrtles with Root Stimulator, as directed, to promote root development and to help it through the stress of transplanting.
Next, remove your plant from the container and place the root ball in the hole you just created. Fill it with more Tree & Shrub soil and press and secure it around the plant.
Give your plant a deep watering and complete the look with Calloway’s Premium Organic Pine Bark Mulch. Mulching Crapemyrtles protects the roots from our Texas sun and helps maintain a constant soil temperature for continued, healthy growth. Our Pine Bark Mulch is ideal for plants and shrubs that prefer an acidic environment such as colorful Crapemyrtles.
How to Plant Crapemyrtles in Containers
No yard? No worries! Try planting your Crapemyrtle in stylish pottery! Crapemyrtle container gardens are a great way to add all-season beauty to small space gardens or sunny patios and balconies. They thrive in planters and add colorful texture to difficult growing areas in your landscape.
Ready to grow? Follow these few simple steps when planting your Crapemyrtle in containers.
1- CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTAINER
When selecting the proper Crapemyrtle container size, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, choose a plant variety that will grow the appropriate size for your space. For example, an urban balcony would need a smaller shrub variety while a rooftop garden or outdoor landscape can benefit from a larger-sized Crapemyrtle tree.
Choosing the right container will not only update the look of your space, but it can make your gardening experience even easier. Try planting your Crapemyrtles in weather-proof and durable Japi Pottery. These planters may look like heavy ceramic but looks can be deceiving! You will love the practicality and flexibility of these extremely lightweight modern containers. If your plant isn’t getting enough sun exposure throughout the day, you can move it with ease! Japi Pottery is UV-protected, impact resistant, and recyclable to encourage a greener lifestyle.
2- PLANTING YOUR CRAPEMYRTLE IN CONTAINERS
Once you have selected the proper container, now it is time to plant. Choose a variety that is best for your space. For smaller areas that need compact growth, try a miniature weeping Crapemyrtle such as the Pixie White or the Orlando Miniature Weeping Crapemyrtles. They are low-growing shrubs that only reach 4 feet in height and spread at maturity.
Fill your containers with a quality Crapemyrtle potting mix and use Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil. Our Premium Potting Soil is a top-of-the-line blend of organic materials that provides an optimal growing environment for container plants. With the superior drainage capabilities that Crapemyrtles need to thrive, it allows for proper moisture retention and aeration, helping to prevent overwatering and root rot.
Next, create a hole in the soil that is larger than the root ball and place it in the soil. Add more soil, leaving 1-2 inches from the top, and lightly pat and secure it around the plant. Water in thoroughly and add more soil if needed.
Crapemyrtle Care Tips
Crapemyrtles are generally low maintenance and easy to care for, but there are a few things that you can do to ensure your plant thrives year after year.
- Crapemyrtles need full sun to thrive. Make sure your plant is getting at least 6 hours of sun exposure per day.
- To bolster blooms and maintain healthy growth, Crapemyrtles prefer regular watering. Watering is important as your plant becomes established, especially during periods of drought. Give the roots a deep watering 2-3 times a week or as needed. Do not let the soil dry out whether it is planted in your landscape or in a container and avoid getting the leaves wet.
- Feed your Crapemyrtles with Calloway’s Premium Flowering Shrub Plant Food as directed during the spring and summer months to stimulate new growth and to keep them actively growing into the fall.
- Crapemyrtle pruning is best done in the late winter before new growth begins. It can help bloom production and beautify your plant. Remove dead and twiggy growth and avoid topping to reduce the height. To create a tree form, establish the main branches and remove wayward growth and suckers for a more structurally pruned look.
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At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need for your Texas garden! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of flowering shrubs, seasonal blooms, stately trees, lush indoor plants, and so much more! Shop one of our 28 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 35 years.
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