Zone 6 Crepe Myrtle Varieties - Growing Crepe Myrtle Trees In Zone 6

Generally, the answer is no, but there are a few zone 6 crepe myrtle varieties that might do the trick.
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Hardy Crepe Myrtles

'Pocomoke'
'Acoma'
'Caddo'
'Hopi'
'Tonto'
'Cherokee'
'Osage'
'Sioux'

What is the hardiest crape myrtle?

Among the hardiest of crape myrtle varieties are cultivars of Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei such as “Hopi,” “Arapaho,” “Tuscarora,” “Tonto” and “Natchez.”

What zone can you grow crepe myrtle?

Planting Crape Myrtle

All crape myrtles are sun lovers, generally cold hardy in Zones 7-10, although there are some that will work in Zone 6 as well. They are extremely heat-tolerant and quite drought-tolerant once established.

Can crape myrtles survive cold weather?

While all crape myrtles are cold hardy to USDA Zone 7a, meaning they will tolerate low winter temperatures to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, there are now many varieties that are cold hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6a, which has low temperatures to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the best crape myrtle tree?

The Muskogee Crape Myrtle is the ideal choice if you want a large tree. ...
The Sioux Crape Myrtle grows between 15 and 20 feet tall and has a narrow, upright form, making it ideal for smaller gardens.

What happens if you dont trim crepe myrtle?

Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Where do crape myrtles grow best?

Climate: Crape myrtles can be grown in hardiness zones 6-10, although in zone 6 they're likely to die back to the ground in winter. Water: Crape myrtles like humid climates. Once established, they can tolerate quite a bit of drought. Light: Crape myrtles flower best in full sun (at least six hours per day).

Can crepe myrtles grow in Zone 6?

These zone 6 crepe myrtle varieties are only root hardy in zone 6. That means that you can start growing crepe myrtle trees outdoors, but you'll have to think of them as perennials. They will probably die back to the ground over the winter, then resprout in spring.

Do crepe myrtles stay green all year?

Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle

Scratch the lower base of the stem and if it's green it is still alive. If it's not, it may still be alive, but you'll have to wait awhile before you know for sure. A really cold winter may have of killed the top growth, but the roots may still be alive.

Do crepe myrtles come back every year?

Pretty easy question. Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year. ... Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer.

How do you winterize a crepe myrtle tree?

We recommend feeding your plant with a fertilizer, like Espoma Holly-tone. 2. Make sure there is 2 – 3″ of mulch over the root system. This means, keep the mulch 3″ away from the trunks of your Crape Myrtle, then place your mulch 2 – 3″ thick over the root system ( 12 to 16″ away from the trunks).

How fast do black diamond crepe myrtles grow?

With ideal planting conditions this shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year. Full sun is the ideal condition for this shrub, meaning it should get at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Crape myrtle grows in a wide range of soils from slightly alkaline to acidic.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

One would be to do as you ask, and start over by cutting the plant to the ground. This will take time to restructure the tree. If you do this, choose three to five sprouts that appear, and prune out everything else. ... Pruning of crape myrtles should be done in late February to early March.

Do crepe myrtle trees have invasive roots?

Crepe Myrtle Root System: Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. ... You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

Can you plant crepe myrtles close to the house?

Often crape myrtle grows as a multistemmed small tree, with foliage limited to the upper half of the plant. ... As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size.

How many trunks should a crape myrtle have?

For most crape myrtles, choose three, five, or—at most—seven main trunks. An odd number of trunks is more pleasing to the eye than an even number, which often looks like soldiers in formation. Keep trunks that have ample space to grow and are growing straight and strong.

Can you kill a crepe myrtle?

Glyphosate kills virtually any plant it touches. Herbicides containing glyphosate may be painted on freshly cut stumps or sprayed onto the foliage to kill the crape myrtle. Trim the cut end of older stumps to expose the wood surface before applying glosphate. Spray the foliage and branches of intact crape myrtles.

Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. ... The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

When is the best time to trim or cut back crepe myrtles? Early spring before new growth is the best time to prune crape myrtles. Whenever you prune, you cause the tree to generate new growth. New growth that starts now will not have time to harden off before frost.

What time of year do you plant crepe myrtle trees?

Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. But a lot of folks buy and plant their crepe myrtle in summer because they select it while it is blooming. That works too, but watering well during the summer months is crucial to transitioning it into your garden.

Do crepe myrtles need a lot of water?

For best growth and production, crape myrtle should receive at least one inch of water a week. During dry spells, water is mandatory. If not properly watered during dry spells, flowers may be mitigated. Keep at least 4 feet around the shrub clear of grass and weeds, for less competition for water.

Are crepe myrtles poisonous to dogs?

Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.