How to Prune and Care for a Crape Myrtle

Summer blossoms and beautiful bark make crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) popular. Pruning and caring for these trees and shrubs can keep them healthy. How to prune and care for crape myrtle

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Pruning Crape Myrtle

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Tools

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Pruning Steps

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Avoid “Crape Murder

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Regular Watering

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How to Prune and Care for a Crape Myrtle

Summer blossoms and beautiful bark make crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) popular. Pruning and caring for these trees and shrubs can keep them healthy. How to prune and care for crape myrtle

Pruning Crape Myrtle

Late winter–early spring, before growth. At this time, pruning promotes rapid growth and prolific flowers.

Tools

Use sharp, clean shears for small branches and loppers or a pruning saw for larger ones. Disinfect tools between cuts to avoid sickness.

Pruning Steps

Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first. This boosts plant health and airflow.

Avoid “Crape Murder

Crape murder involves overcutting crape myrtles to stubs. Poor growth, ugly look, and limited flowering can result. Be more delicate when shaping and thinning.

Regular Watering

Give water often, especially in dry conditions. Crape myrtles thrive with continuous hydration but are drought-tolerant.

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