I know we have some CM experts here. The local Home Despot has a really good deal on moderate sized CM's right now, and I've been wanting to add 1 or 2 to the front yard. If I buy it and plant it now, wil it survive? It's going in Round Rock soil, very deep, very well watered. Thoughts?
water daily for 2 weeks. They should be fine. Don't forget, HD has a 1 year warranty on plants. Buy with no concern, if it dies, they refund your money.
Make sure that they are of the mildew resistant varieties. Also Crepe Myrtles can grow to varying heights so you want to find out how big they are going to get.
We bought a small one from HD two years ago and planted it in our back yard in South Austin. The first couple of months we watered it a lot, but haven't had to do much since. It is partially shaded by a larger tree so it is growing slowly- I think they do better in direct sunlight. Should be fine in Round Rock.
Now isn't the best time to plant anything, but.... since it hasn't been too hot, it may be ok. Dig a big hole and mix in a little fertilizer and mulch in with your soil. Water daily, but don't over water.
I bought 5 CMs from HD about 3-4 weeks ago and they're doing great. Just be sure to water them frequently when the hot weather resumes and if the root systems are well developed, fertilize them with a mild fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. And, as a side note, the ones I bought don't look nearly as good as the ones HD (Brodie Lane store) has recently gotten in. But I paid $8.00 a piece for mine, 5 gallon size.
Here's another question for those of you with experience: I know Crepe Myrtles love full sun, but are they doable in less than that? I'm in the process of landscaping my back yard, and am trying to plan for the color pattern. I wouldl love to put a row of about 4 low growing CMs along my east side fenceline. It is pretty shaded in the AM, gets partial sun in the early afternoon, and is in close to full sun from about 4:30-5 until the sun goes down. Would they have a chance? I Would not be planting them until this fall.
ths, are yoiurs of the shrub or tree variety? Are you happy with how they look, or would you replace them with something else if you could? My situation sounds similar to yours in that the area I would like to put these gets shade from a couple of fairly large trees, one of which is in my neighbors backyard. The sun doesn't come up over that tree until about 10 AM and that tree keeps my area shaded until afternoon.
There are four types of crepe myrtles. The minature grows to a height of 3 feet and makes a great ground cover or in a hanging baskeet..Yes, that is what I said..hanging basket. The dwarf grows to an height of 7-9 feet . The semi dwarf grows up to 15 feet high. The standard tree grows in excess of 20 ft high. I just ordered some dwarf amd minature plants for my backyard. They are the few trees that can be planted in summer . The crepe myrtle flowers for six months and is a sturdy plant once it is established. It requires just a little watering and very low maintanance. Blooms are developed from new growth. Pruning should be kept to a minimum such as a few inches each year. Below is a good sight. Order their free catalogueThe Link
I have some dwarfs planted on the south side of our house which don't get any direct sun until after noon and they do fine. In fact, I prune them back to about 3 feet every winter and they touch the eaves of the house +9 feet this time of year.
