Crepe Mertles
By Annalea Smith
The rewarding features of the Crepe Myrtle allow for year-round enjoyment. For me personally - the bark is number one, becoming more beautiful with age.
The flowers and the autumn colours ranging from reds, through to oranges and yellows, add to seasonal anticipation and delight.
Overall, they are quite tough little trees, and can tolerate a range of conditions. They revel in summer heat, as long as water is kept up to them - if elevated on a gravel bed in a water tray, they will usually travel through the hot summer months quite well. Needing a position in full sun year-round, this extra care ensures their wellbeing.
Originally, they were all tall, spreading trees, but there are various sizes available now, possibly produced to be smaller garden friendly.
Sizes starting from miniature - a very small growing shrub, through to smalls and mediums, with a variety of colours ranging from deep reds through to varying pinks, mauves and white.
Summer growth can be prolific, and the usual for me is two trims during this early summer period. To do this, let the first growth extend to 8 or 10 sets of leaves, then cut back to 2 or 4 leaves, which ever has the strongest buds. If growth is prolific again after this first trim, another cutback will be needed, keeping the tree compact.
The flowers will set on the next growth. Keep fertilizers to low nitrogen (fruit and flower, and slow release) to steady foliage growth. Once flowering is finished, trim and tidy up, giving the tree a well-earned rest. Some light liquid feeding and Seasol can be helpful at this time with Summer now at its height.
As the season moves into autumn and nights become colder, the tree prepares for its final show of beautiful autumn colours. After the last leaf has fallen, prune branches back to two strong buds, correcting branch placement and the overall shape of the tree - wire where necessary. In the photos, the smallest tree is actually 26yrs old, standing at 22cms., and is a miniature, the larger tree is 16yrs.
