Newly planted Crepe Myrtle leaf turned burgundy? (tree, myrtles, south) - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

HB2HSV · 10-21-2018, 11:13 AM

I have 2 Crepe Myrtles I just planted, one 4 weeks ago and another just 2 weeks. Their leaves have turned from green to burgundy red. I am trying to figure out if this is normal due to cooling down of weather or due to a lack of water? I rely on sprinkler to water the plants and the mulch appeared to be moist even at the end of day (5-6pm).

Here’s a photo on one of them. It is a Tuscarora variety.

gemstone1 · 10-21-2018, 11:49 AM

Normal

North Beach Person · 10-21-2018, 03:19 PM

Leaves are changing color for the Fall. Both the season and what they'll do.

HB2HSV · 10-21-2018, 06:10 PM

Sounds good guys.

Always good to get validation from fellow gardeners. I moved to a new USDA zone, different climate, not sure what was happening.

oregonwoodsmoke · 10-21-2018, 06:26 PM

Well, it is fall.

Go dig a finger 3 inches into the soil close to your tree. If the ground is dry, then they aren't getting enough water.

NoMoreSnowForMe · 10-21-2018, 06:29 PM

They will go dormant. Totally normal. After all the leaves fall off, you can prune them to a nice shape. If you wanted to prune it into a tree shape, for instance, you could cut off the outside branches, and just leave the middle branch.

HB2HSV · 10-21-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Well, it is fall.

Go dig a finger 3 inches into the soil close to your tree. If the ground is dry, then they aren't getting enough water.

Sounds like it’s not a problem of lacking water then. One inch underneath the mulch is moist.

HB2HSV · 10-21-2018, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

They will go dormant. Totally normal. After all the leaves fall off, you can prune them to a nice shape. If you wanted to prune it into a tree shape, for instance, you could cut off the outside branches, and just leave the middle branch.

Great idea. This one does lend itself to have the “tree” shape.

southernnaturelover · 10-21-2018, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Great idea. This one does lend itself to have the “tree” shape.

I’m not sure Tuscarora would do well as a tree, they tend to want to be bushy and vase shaped from my experience

HB2HSV · 10-21-2018, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I’m not sure Tuscarora would do well as a tree, they tend to want to be bushy and vase shaped from my experience

Well, there you go messing up a perfectly good idea, LOL. I’ll leave it alone for now. Wait till what next year brings when it’s bigger & healthier.