THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503110046
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G13 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: WEEDER'S DIGEST
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
IT'S CRAPE MYRTLE time in Hampton Roads. Crape myrtle planting time, that is.
``With the exception of azaleas and camellias, there probably is no other flowering plant in the South that offers the spectacle of color produced by crape myrtles,'' said horticulturist Charles Elstrodt, who was formerly at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Center in Virginia Beach. ``There are certainly no other summer trees or shrubs that compete with the beauty of the crape myrtle.
``Northern visitors are always impressed by these flowers. For just a few hundred miles north, crape myrtles are either not hardy or they kill back to the ground every winter and then usually remain as low shrubs. They are not considered hardy north of Baltimore and Philadelphia, although they can survive there with some winter protection.''
One of the merits of the crape myrtle is that it will become a tall shrub covered with summer flowers, with little or no maintenance. With some extra care and pruning, they can be grown into a showy, single-trunked tree.
Young plants sprout naturally and branch profusely from the ground, forming a dense shrub. If all but one of these shoots are removed, that one will soon become a trunk and eventually you have a tree 30 feet tall. Or you can buy one in a container at a nursery that is already single-trunked.
More commonly three to five main shoots are allowed to grow, forming a multiple-trunked tree. But even after the crape myrtle matures, it is necessary every year to continue removing new shoots from the base of the plant.
Flower colors range from pure white to dark pink, near red and lavender, plus some variegated versions. Each individual flower is fragrant, with four crinkled petals. But it is the large clusters of flowers that produce the big show.
Even when not in flower, crape myrtles add interest to any landscape. Some have colorful yellow or orange fall foliage. This varies with the variety and fall weather conditions.
During winter months, both limb and trunk structure are interesting. On older limbs, the bark peels off, leaving smooth twisted wood.
The only insects that give crape myrtles much of a problem are aphids. They sometimes congregate around buds and flowers but are seldom worth spraying. Diazinon, malathion or Concern organic soap spray will take care of infestations.
The one other problem crape myrtles may have is powdery mildew. That disease appears as a gray substance on new foliage. It usually is not a serious problem and can be controlled by spraying with Actidione PM every 10 days.
A better solution, if you have crape myrtles that always get powdery mildew is to yank them out and plant the new mildew-resistant varieties. They have been introduced over the last five years, from the National Arboretum and most have Indian names.
Crape myrtles come in all sizes, from dwarfs, that never get over 3 feet tall, to those that reach 30 feet in height.
Now is an ideal time for planting. The must have full sun and will not bloom without it. Also don't plant them over a swimming pool or patio, because their seeds and petals can make a mess.
If you are already growing crape myrtles, remember they bloom on this year's growth, so it's important to prune them before new growth begins. It is also a good idea to apply a cup or two of shrub fertilizer now. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
RICHARD L. DUNSTON/Staff
Allowed to sprout naturally, crape myrtles branch profusely from the
ground and form a dense shrub.
by CNB