Cactus Wren. The Key Differences Between Crepe Myrtle Bush and Crepe Myrtle Tree. We currently offer 9 different Crape Myrtle species which are fast-growing (up to 4 foot a year), sun-loving, drought tolerant, and perform well in many different soil types. Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are small deciduous trees or large shrubs (less than 30 feet) that have gained popularity with homeowners and landscapers. Then, make sure your area has well-drained soil. Some gardeners suggest that a crepe myrtle should be pruned after flowering to encourage the plant to flower again. The quentisential tree for the Southern garden. 86: 1988): Deep rich red flower trusses. Crapemyrtle aphids feed on phloem sap in which the primary constituents are sugar and water. Crape myrtles grow well in almost any soil but do best in loam, silt, or clay soils. Steps for Hardwood Cutting Propagation: In late fall or winter, cut a 6-12 inch piece from a mature, dormant crepe myrtle stem. used dehumidifier for sale lapostolle cabernet sauvignon 2010 lapostolle cabernet sauvignon 2010The Top 5 Crepe Myrtle Issues and Some Treatment Methods. The aphids feed on the sap and excrete tiny droplets of a sugary liquid called honeydew. Originally from East Asia, crape myrtles have become much more widely planted in recent decades thanks to the development of varieties that are hardier and more disease-resistant. While aphid infestations normally don't make pecan trees look visually worse, crape myrtles. ) and flower profusely. Some of the most common pests found in crepe myrtles include aphids, Japanese beetles, bark scale, powdery mildew, and. Miss Frances is a new introduction from the Southern Living™ line with three seasons of breathtaking color. Foliar diseases decrease plant vigor and flowering, especially in the absence of new growth in spring. They feed by piercing plant tissues and sucking out the sap, leading to curled or yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and a sticky substance on the leaves or ground beneath the tree, known as honeydew. Crape Myrtlettes. Crape-myrtle bark scale (CMBS; Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae; Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) is an emerging invasive pest of crape myrtle in Virginia. Multi Stem. A 2012 Revolution; our beloved flowering shrub crape myrtles went black, and the world said WOW. Let your crape myrtle go au natural! The Natural Look is the easiest because there is little to no pruning involved. Coral Sport. Growing the Twilight Magic™ Crape Myrtle Size and Appearance. 5 feet off the ground). com is Better. Watering them twice […] Characteristics of Selected Crape Myrtle Varieties. Trim any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. It typically grows to 15-25’ tall. This makes it a good fit in most gardens as it is big enough to have a real impact but not so. 3. Groups of crape myrtle are commonly used as a hedge, privacy screen or street tree landscape. This is sooty mold, and it grows where insects have. Water deeply when soil is dry. Put the plant in the hole deep as the nursery container, but twice as wide. How to Fertilize Crape Myrtles. Small crape myrtle shrubs are perfect for growing along driveways, paths, and planting at the front of the house. Christiana. It all depends on your preference and what Crape Myrtle style you would like in your landscape. 1303 . ) in winter. A light 1-2 inches mulch layer of pine fines or pine straw can help to hold moisture around the roots during drier winter months. Crape myrtle aphids are pale yellowish green in color with black spots on the abdomen. indica is an upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling brown and grey bark and, 8cm long, dark green leaves which are bronze when young. In winter, we suggest using either container crapemyrtles or B & B trees that were dug in summer, hardened off, and stored in mulch. Treeland Nursery 1208 Sharp Rd. 95. Lagerstroemia indica. Crape myrtle ( species) is a handsome, summer-flowering, deciduous small tree or shrub. Each cultivar in the Indian Summer range is named after. San Antonio, TX 78220 . It is also known as the lilac of the south, and its flowers can last more than 100 days. S. Lagerstroemia indica or as most know it, the common crape myrtle, was introduced from China and Korea in 1747. Purple blooms and black foliage. Keep in mind, it does mean the shape might look a little off center or disheveled. The Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a flowering tree or shrub that is native to Asia. The two main disease problems of crape myrtles are fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew. Aphids. The Key Differences Between Crepe Myrtle Bush and Crepe Myrtle Tree. It has a relatively narrow form for a Crape Myrtle, growing only 4 to 8 feet wide, so it is ideal for a smaller garden, or for mixing among other shrubs. It is a favorite among Southern gardeners because of its beauty and low maintenance. 3. Cut more than that and it may result in a stressed tree pushing out a lot of new growth,’ says Dean Dietrich. 3. Let me introduce some of my favorites,. Best Time to Prune Crape Myrtles. m. Breeding programs over the last 30 years have produced superior forms with a wide range of plant sizes and habits; improved flowering, new flower colors, ornamental bark, ornamental foliage, and. Crape myrtles are popular due to the huge variety there is in cultivars. 2. Christiana. It is preferable to trim a standard variety as a tree, instead of a bush, but it can take a few years to change. Semi-Dwarf Red-Flowered Crape Myrtles (from 4 to 12 feet tall) Cheyenne – 8-10 feet tall rounded head shrub. Sometimes owners of crepe myrtles who want them to stay shrub-sized will cut the main central branch (i. Mulch around the base of the tree. 2. Place your crape myrtle where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun per day. , San Antonio , Texas 78220, Phone: 210 - 648 - 1303. Crape myrtles prefer a balanced fertilizer with a 1:1:1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. What They Do: Aphid suck the plant sap out of leaves which causes two harmful effects. Crawlers have legs and antennae. Remember these trees are drought tolerant and after establishment require little water. Aim to restrict your crape myrtle to three or five main trunks wherever possible. A mature Crape Myrtle properly grown is a remarkable sight, sinewy limbs reaching high in a vase shape supporting lilac-like flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. If you want to transplant your crepe myrtle yourself, this shouldn't be too difficult. First things first. 87-Quart Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Tree In Pot (With Soil) - Glossy Green Leaves, Dark Purple Flowers. Mandi. The Natchez’s bark is also distinctive, offering a shimmery-brown throughout the year. Gently incorporate the granules into the soil with a rake and then water well. " In general, for the Standard , Medium, and Dwarf trees & the Whites, Pinks and Lavenders ship at about 2-4 feet. Affected leaves, flowers and shoots are covered with a white powdery growth that occurs mostly during spring or fall when nights are. e. The Double Dynamite® Crape Myrtle, otherwise known as the Lagerstroemia Indica ‘Whit X’ Plant Patent #27,085 is a pretty well known shrub plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world. It is highly resistant to the mildew that damages older types of Crape Myrtles so it looks clean, healthy and spectacular all summer long. It is up to us to strike the balance and to be good. It is H3 hardy, but they do become hardier as the wood ripens in the sun and the plants become established. Hardy in USDA zones: 7 to 9. Smooth, colorful peeling bark adds year-round interest. It appears as yellow or brown spots on the upper surface of the leaves, while the underside of the leaves has a white or gray downy appearance. It produces lustrous green leaves with dark red flowers with an extended flowering season from late June until August. Suitable for growing in containers. This small, bush-like crape myrtle adds its bright, almost-fluorescent pink blooms to even the most limited spaces in your landscaping. Less is more when it comes to pruning Crape Myrtle. Add to cart. Next, improper pruning, or pruning too late, can cause crape myrtles not to bloom. January 2012. (Howard Garrett) De-stress your trees. The Black Diamond Crape Myrtle variety represents the first series of true dark-leaf crape myrtles. With their ease of care, short growing stature and dramatic color, these plants are certain to steal the show, making. Crapemyrtle. Also, keep your Crape's mature height and width in mind. The best way to avoid powdery mildew is to plant one of the cultivars bred and selected for resistance to powdery mildew. Crepe myrtle, though often listed as a shrub, is not really a shrub or low-growing tree. The Black Diamond is hardy in Zones 7-9. 1) (CMBS), is an emerging threat to crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp. The Tuscarora crape is not demanding when it comes to soil types. 7. Crapemyrtle aphids damage crape myrtle cosmetically and are not known to vector any plant diseases. Downy mildew is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of Miss Sandra Crape Myrtle trees. tall. ‘Miss Sandra’ resulted from a pollination between an unregistered purple-flowered seedling collected in San Antonio, TX, as the female parent and ‘Tonto’ as the male parent ( Egolf. Dwarf forms available. Water periodically during dry spells. Hardiness Zone: 7-9A. Allow your crape myrtle to branch and spread naturally. How to Prune Your Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle. 5 to 7. Christiana. They vary in length from 1/16 to ⅛ inch long. This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: Anniston, Alabama. Then, to maximize spring growth and summer bloom, fertilize crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Trainable as a standard but quite striking as a multitrunked tree. Overwintering. Remove crossing and inward growing branches. , 1025 Holmgreen Rd. the Current agent is Minda Daughtry. Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christiana' Lagerstroemia indica : Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle 'Christmas Time' Lagerstroemia :. 2014 prices should get you finding a 1 gallon Natchez in the 7 to 12 dollar price range. 2. Skip Richter, Travis County Extension Horticulturist Jerry Parsons, Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension Fanick's Garden Center, San Antonio, TX 78220. It has attractive deep bright red flowers and is a fast grower. Planting Crape myrtles have a shallow, fibrous rootCrape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5. Powdery mildew is a powdery white to light gray-colored fungus that will grow on succulent stems, leaves, buds, and flowers. Topping removes all the upper branches. Christiana Crape myrtle Color: Dark red Fanick’s Garden Center Inc. Crape myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well, once it becomes established. Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. Very Dwarf | Dwarf | Semi-Dwarf | Small Tree | Tree 9-10. fauriei. This will encourage the best possible new growth. Clusters of flowers! Sort of reminds me of lilacs. Growers created new selections of dwarf and semi-dwarf types that bloomed well, resisted disease, and were hardy. The blooms of the Crimson Red Black Diamond come in a vibrant crimson red blooms with bright yellow centers which offset the intense hues of the dark leaves. I think they thrive on heat and humidity! Not only does it have gorgeous peeling bark, but the blooms are so striking. The size and shape of the Garnet Queen Crape Myrtle make it an excellent choice for landscaping. Place the crepe myrtle in quality soil, cover, and water deeply. Remove any dead or diseased branches, and trim back about one-third of the tree’s overall size. Crape myrtles are excellent for use in landscaping. So the bottom line is if you. site. Red Rocket Crape Myrtles can grow up to 30 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 25 feet. Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia species) has become a dominant landscape plant in North and Central Florida and throughout the South. a small tree with purple, pink, or white…. 5. In fact, too rich of soil, and too much compost or fertilizer, will help create healthy leaves but produce fewer flowers. Excellent resistance to leaf spot and powdery mildew. Growing Zones 6-10. Remove any damaged or crossing branches during the late winter, as well as any suckers, or low-growing branches. Number 2 takes, a confident pruner, 20-30 seconds each while Number 3 takes 2 seconds. Step 1: Start at the bottom. – Leaf spot. Crape Myrtles should only be pruned rarely, like any other tree. This is because dormant buds become stimulated when the ends of the stems are cut, and new flowers will develop at the tips of these cut stems. And dwarf or miniature crape myrtle shrubs don’t grow taller than 4 ft. container with minimum tree. Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica) is also a pest and feeds on both leaves and flowers. The Miniatures, being naturally smaller plants, are in smaller pots. Topping a crape myrtle forces the tree to produce many unsightly root suckers. Plant in soil that drains quickly. To determine whether myrtle flowers are invasive, let’s look at how they spread. If the plant is improperly placed and gets too. S. Your Crape Myrtle will still bloom and be beautiful if watered often and properly fertilized. L10725 - Dynamite™ Crape Myrtle. A more permanent solution to disease and pest problems (including the dreaded white scale) results. 6 to 12. A 2012 Revolution; our beloved flowering shrub crape myrtles went black, and the world said WOW. Dwarf Centennial – a purple arching crape that reaches about three feet. Miniature crape myrtles reach heights of 2 to 3 feet; dwarf, semi-dwarf, me-dium and tall crape myrtles reach heights of 5 to 6 feet, 10 to 12 feet, 15 feet and more than 20 feet, respectively. This is a deciduous plant that can be either a tree or a large shrub. Crape Myrtles have deep roots and are heavy feeders. 1025 Holmgreen Rd. Their shape, bark color, and flowers are a highlight of the summer landscape in Florida. 2014 prices should get you finding a 1 gallon Natchez in the 7 to 12 dollar price range. A healthy, well-structured crape myrtle will have only a few main trunks. Southern gardeners love their crepe myrtles for summer bloom, attractive, peeling bark, and limited crepe myrtle care. Topping results in many dead stubs throughout the tree. Black Diamond Crapemyrtles. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Crape myrtle do not have invasive root systems, which may be one reason they are used as sidewalk margin trees. Now the good news is that Crape Myrtles are one darn tough plant. Table 1. (1. Fertilization: Regular fertilization is necessary for Crape Myrtles in pots to promote healthy growth and abundant blooming. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS) is an insect that is noticeable as a white or gray, waxy crustation on stems, large twigs, and trunks. 00. During this time (from mid-February to March in southern states), the plant is nearing the end of its dormancy. Give Crimson Red™ Crape Myrtle full sun, in a spot where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Semi-dwarf crape myrtle bushes grow between 4 and 10 ft. It has attractive deep bright red flowers and is a fast grower. Even with its superior drought tolerance, there's no need to. Winter trunks are fabulous with mottled tan and brown from peeling bark. 00 with. 7-8 ft. It can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9. L. The Crape Myrtle is a tough act to follow, but the Weeping Willow sure can hold its own! The tree’s characteristic “weeping” foliage is quite striking, and some say it adds a relaxed, serene element to any yard it inhabits. Crepe myrtle may blossom by mid-May in zone 10, where frost is. ”. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. 54 /gallon (39) Model# 14845. Thankfully gardeners and growers both saw the need for smaller, more compact crepe myrtles—or crape myrtles or crapemyrtles if you prefer—that didn't need annual pruning. Crapemyrtle bark scale feeds on the phloem sap of crape myrtles using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. National Arboretum. Mandi. 95. The crape myrtle bark scale has three life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. Description. 1025. If you are using a granular fertilizer, you can sprinkle the recommended amount of fertilizer in a ring around the crape myrtle. It is usually best to use only one color in each cluster. The plant is shipped in a #7 pot with a minimum height of 24 in. Special Red. 8 Million Happy. to 1 p. The Tuscarora is cold hardy down to an amazingly low 0 degrees. ) 12-15: Optimal Soil Condition: NeutralOur Catawba Crape loves full sun or about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Compare. Center Stage® Red Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica: Common Name Family: Crepe Myrtle: Container Size: 2 Gallon(s) Container Type: Container: Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous: Fragrance: Non-Fragrant: Growth Habit: Upright: Hardiness Zone: 7 (0 to 10 F),8 (10 to 20 F),9 (20 to 30 F) Mature Height (ft. VICTOR (6'-10' Dark Bright Red) $39. 2 m). The new crape myrtle was selected as a superior red-flowered seedling (CM224) with attractive green foliage within the progeny of the stated hybridization. . 4. 1-2 ft. Essential Pruning Tools. Summer heat brings an explosion of blooms that fill the tree until—and sometimes throughout—autumn. The deep red and black colors are perfect for. Remove all leaves and side branches. Over 1. Common name is in reference to the crepe-papery inflorescences and the myrtle-like ( Myrtus communis) features of the bark and foliage. The Crape Myrtle is a tough act to follow, but the Weeping Willow sure can hold its own! The tree’s characteristic “weeping” foliage is quite striking, and some say it adds a relaxed, serene element to any yard it inhabits. Pruning to Encourage Blooming. Lagerstroemia indica ( Christiana Crapemyrtle ) This small to medium sized crapemyrtle has bright red flowers with stamens of yellow. ) apart and cut them back to 4 inches (10 cm. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Lagerstroemia, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) 'Mandi' supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at D. Late winter is the best time to prune crape myrtles. They Thrive in Harsh Sun. The USDA zone for this plant is 7-9. June 24, 2015. Information provided courtesy of Fanick's Garden Center Inc. Many customer favorites include Elm Trees, Red Maple trees, Japanese. indica ing L. tall. 6. Scientific name: Lagerstroemia x 'Apalachee'. Crape myrtle blossoms may be white, pink, purple, red and shades in between. Southern Living. Form: Near flat globe globe upright Hardiness: -30 degrees -25 degrees -25 degrees Fahrenheit Fahrenheit Fahrenheit. Before transplanting, prune the crepe myrtle to reduce its size and make it easier to handle. Bloom time can vary by 6-8 weeks depending on your. Black Diamond Crape Myrtles are dwarf sized and stay between 8-10 feet tall and 8 feet wide at full size. Paul Thompson, ©2015, Clemson Extension. Two main disease problems of crape myrtles are fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. from Virginia to Arkansas south to. Good foliage retention into the fall months. In early May, crepe myrtles leaf and blossoms may appear as early as July. It is designed to nourish the health of plants and promote their healthy growth. Forget lopping off the top of this Crape Myrtle so that it survives the cold - the Tuscarora thrives through it all, so there's no hassle for you. The large open cuts caused from topping invite wood-rotting organisms and ultimately decay. Victor can be grown either as a small tree or as a bushy dwarf Crape Myrtle maturing to 6'-10' tall and about 6ft wide. The bright blooms of the Black Diamond reach their productivity peak during the summer and. Young plants and new growth are usually more severely damaged than older plants, leaves, or branches. One of the attractive flowering trees in the landscape is the Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia sp. $312. A common problem is the careless use of mowers and string trimmers around the base of thin-barked crape myrtle trees. Crape myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well once it becomes established. The sap that drips from the Crape Myrtle tree is actually sap passing. Crape myrtles thrive in pots as long as the container is the right size. Height: 20’-25’. Avoid shearing the exterior tips of the crape myrtle shrub. Not only is the Muskogee one of the few Crape Myrtle varieties with rich lavender-purple flowers…but it also deliver. You can use a slow-release granular fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer diluted with water. Crape myrtle plants need six to eight hours of continuous sunshine to bloom properly. Arapaho. Try planting multiple colors together for a beautiful and unique plant!The five leading purple crape myrtles are: 1. In 1956, a second major variety of crape myrtle, the faurei, was introduced here from. Width: 15’-25’. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is also a pest, feeding on leaves and flowers. Crape myrtle requires a warm, sheltered and sunny spot. Crepe myrtles generally do well with a balanced fertilizer, but a soil test can help. indica and L. Crape Myrtle Photo Gallery by Color ; Select color at left to view varieties with similar color flowers. it was first introduced in the U. Our multi-stem crapemyrtles are pruned to have 3 to 5 equal trunks. Deciduous. Information provided courtesy of Fanick's Garden Center Inc. The past couple of summers have been banner years for crape myrtles, especially in our own World Collection Park of the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney. (Crape myrtles are very resilient and tough, and are fairly easy to move. It is fast-growing, adding as much as 2 feet of new growth each year, so you won’t be waiting long to see it in its full glory. These pimples or blisters form when the crape myrtle takes in more moisture through the roots than it can transpire through the leaves, over-filling the cells. Information provided courtesy of Fanick's Garden Center Inc. Southern Living. Stop crape murder! It creates knobby trunks and spindly, weak branches, and is completely uneccessary if you plant the right sized crape myrtle for your needs. Natchez Crepe. Some crape myrtle trees sprout from the base of the trunk and roots even without severe heading. The genus name honors Swedish botanist Magnus von. How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9 down to 7 (with some special. wide. Choose from 18 Varieties of our Beautiful RED Crape Myrtles! Take Advantage of our Quantity Discounts Buy 1-2 Plants for $39. Crepe myrtle trees, in many varieties, overlook an abundance of southern landscapes. Tucson, Arizona. A common practice is to prune crape myrtles back very far because many feel this increases the magnificent. Crapemyrtle. Raspberry Sundae is very upright and columnar reaching 15-20 tall at maturity. It produces lustrous green leaves with dark red flowers for an extended flowering season from late June into August. It has been called the lilac of the south. National Arboretum in 1990, and has been recognized as a Georgia Gold Medal winner (1996) and Mississippi Medallion plant (1999). Buy 1-2 Plants for $39. The pest is easy to identify, as it’s the only bark scale known to attack crape myrtles. It is not unusual for ‘Basham's Party Pink’ to grow 12 to 15 feet per year! It is a very full upright tree that grows to 30ft+ tall with a 20ft+ canopy. There are over 1,200 varieties of crape myrtle with mature heights ranging from 2 feet to 40 feet. E-mail: [email protected] to know a crape myrtle is dying #359894. More Options Available $ 54. It’s a good idea to mulch around the plant in the container for retaining moisture over longer periods of time. The common crape myrtle can reach a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity. 80. It is possible to prevent crape myrtle from coming up from the roots by spraying a phenoxy herbicide product, such as Dicamba or 2,4D, on the roots. Additionally, crape myrtle should be planted in sunny locations allowing free air movement so wet foliage dries quickly. Flowers give way to round seed capsules which often persist. Pole pruners or a pruning saw which you can use to cut branches more than 1½ inches thick. Water plants deeply during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Fuchsia d’Été Crape Myrtle. ): pink (medium) picotee with white edge, dark pink veining in white area, more or less pyramidal panicles; 12-14’ height, multi-trunked; hardiness USDA zone 6 or 7. The Natural Look. Mature height: 20’+ Flower color: light red; Crape Myrtle Dynamite. General Information. tall. Can be used in planter on deck or patio. This bright pink variety is an exclusive variety from Indiya Charms in France. Christiana: Dark Red: Upright: 8 - 10: Fair: Orange Red: Great: Firebird: Watermelon red: Broad upright: 10: Fair: N / A: N / A: Hopi: Medium Pink: Low Globose:. As with other colors of crape myrtle, red crape myrtle varieties are free-flowering and will continue to produce flowers throughout summer and on into autumn. Excessive fertilization, especially high amounts of nitrogen, in conjunction with other factors, primarily improper pruning, can eliminate or delay flowering. From Seed to Bloom in 4 mo. Powdery mildew is a disease which is common on many ornamental trees and shrubs, including crape myrtles. Remember these trees are drought tolerant and after establishment require little water. 3. Some situations necessitate crape myrtle pruning. Originally from Asia, CMBS has spread across the southeastern United States, probably through the movement of infested crape myrtle stock in the nursery trade. 7 cm) of rich hardwood mulch around the tree. 3. How to Prune Crape Myrtles in 3 StepsCrape myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well, once it becomes established. Severe pruning at this time of the year could result in diseased branches and slow the development of these tough trees. Miss Frances is a new introduction from the Southern Living™ line with three seasons of breathtaking color. Crape myrtles need to be heavily pruned to keep the desired tree shape, but this should not be done in the fall. Utilize varieties with different bloom times to brighten the landscape all season long. Many leaves fall during the summer, although some are the normal green. Red Rocket is a full, tree-sized Crape Myrtle, quickly passing 12 feet in height. Start fertilization when new growth begins to appear in spring and then as directed on the product label. A thick layer will help the roots hold moisture and discourage the growth of weeds, which can sap the trees nutrients. Cut out any dead branches. Absolutely you should feel comfortable planting a 1 gallon Natchez crape myrtle. Miss Frances displays a. Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is an upright, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree in the loosestrife family. , top it),which permanently ruins their growth structure and can make them extremely unsightly and sickly in the long run. Crape Myrtle aphids are small, yellowish green insects that feed by sucking the sap from the leaves of the tree.