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Well, we just planted a small, maybe about 4 ft tall Natchez Crepe Myrtle in the backyard. Obviously it's still a baby - but I am really concerned about it.
I am new to Crepe Myrtles, but have planted one other before.
This one was planted straight, I thought, but none the less, it's drooping almost in half. The other one I have planted in the ground (and the 5 others I have in planters until I have room for them in the yard) are all standing up fairly tall, with just the tips of the branches that are weeping. The leaves and bark, otherwise, look great.
Should I stake it? I have never seen a crepe myrtle staked, because they seem to be so hardy and basically upright. Should I replant it?
Do NOT PRUNE IT BACK and commit Crepe Murder. ACK!!! NEVER, EVER prune your Crepe Myrtles back to stub at any time. You do however prune the offshots from the bottom and any small branches from the bottom but never ever chop the top off. This may have been what happened to the one you have. If it has been chopped back then all that is left are wispy branches that are new and babies and have no strength. If the base of the Crepe Myrtle is straight then it should be fine. You can stake them though and that is fine. If your in an area that can get high winds in storms and such then staking them is a good thing.
Thanks for your help! I don't think it's been cut back yet, it looks lush at the top, though, like I said my experience is limited so I don't have much to compare it to.
Anyway, with your saying that staking it should be fine, and a friend's suggestion that I lightly tie together the two trunks near the base - I think I am on the right path.
Natchez are one of my favorites, despite the fact that they are a hybrid. They can grow quickly into a very satisfactory small shade tree.
Leave the darn thing alone. Staking will just waste your time and look goofy. Maybe you should send us a photo so we can actually see if it's sick or just top heavy. Either way, you should keep it watered and be patient.
It resents the incorrect and increasingly common usage term of 'crepe' as it is not a piece of tissue paper, it's a living thing. It has feelings and likes to be called by its proper name.
When it's called names, it hangs and shakes its head in shame, and that's what you are seeing now.
Lagerstroemia (crepe myrtle or crape myrtle) is a genus of about 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees or large shrubs native to eastern Asia and Australia in the Lythraceae family.
Quote:
Flowers are borne in summer in panicles of crinkled flowers with a crepe-like texture.
Either is correct. But to be absolutely correct, call it a Lagerstroemia. Liz
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Liz
