The crape myrtle has one of the longest flowering periods of any tree – from 60 to 120 days. They do, indeed, bloom almost all summer long. The beautiful fall colors on the crape myrtle are due to chemistry, not magic. Actually, the leaves do not change colors; they simply reveal colors that have been there all summer..
Just so, can crepe myrtles change color?
A: The color change in the flower after it is spent is common on many plants. The color of the bloom often does change colors once the flower fades. Sometimes more than one type of crape myrtle is planted together too and you will see various colors of blooms.
Secondly, why is my crepe myrtle leaves turning red? If during summer some or all of the leaves on your crape myrtle bush or tree are developing small spots and turning red and prematurely dropping from the plant this is most likely Cercospora leaf spot. This condition usually occurs during hot summers with more than average rainfall.
Also question is, why do crape myrtle leaves turn yellow?
Assuming good drainage, watering it well will often help move the toxins out of the area. Other cultural problems that cause yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle include inadequate sunshine and too little water. If the soil doesn't drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves.
What do crape myrtle leaves look like?
Leaves: Crape myrtles have bright fall colors, considered very attractive and decorative. They have dark green leaves, with a red fringe upon opening. In the fall the leaves turn red, yellow, or orange. Leaf type is simple, shape is oval and venation is pinnate.
Related Question Answers
What color are crepe myrtles?
Crepe Myrtles are classified as Weeping, Dwarfs, Semi Dwarfs, Small Trees and Trees. With colors ranging from light to dark pink, rose to watermelon red as well as shades of white and purple. In addition Crepe Myrtles also display attractive cinnamon colored peeling bark throughout the winter months.What is the reddest crape myrtle?
The reddest blooms you can get on a Crape Myrtle! The bright red blooms on this smaller growing crape myrtle tree are in huge clusters. From the wonderfully smooth bark to the dark green foliage and then onto the orange-red fall color, the Dynamite Crape Myrtle is an amazing summer to fall show off!Can a crape myrtle be grafted?
The crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous semihardwood ornamental tree native to Asia. Crape myrtles range in height between 18 inches and 40 feet and can be side-grafted to produce new growth. Side-grafting produces new growth by joining a crape myrtle stem with a common rootstock to grow together as one.Why is my crepe myrtle turning white?
Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle, and it is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemia. Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers and new shoots. Susceptible varieties of crape myrtle should be avoided.Can you grow crape myrtle from cuttings?
Crepe Myrtle Propagation by Cuttings Take cuttings in spring or summer where they meet the main branch, about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) Dip each end into the rooting hormone and place the cuttings in a pot of moist sand and potting mix about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) deep. Cover with a plastic bag to keep them moist.How do you propagate crepe myrtles?
Take 4-inch long cuttings, each with a bud 1/4 of an inch from the top end. They should be about as thick as a pencil. Dip the bottom of each cutting into a rooting hormone and insert the cuttings into a pot filled with a moist lightweight potting soil or soil-less mix.How often should I water my crepe myrtle?
Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil.What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?
What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. See also our Crape Myrtles Plant Care and Collection of Varieties.How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?
How To Tell If You Have A Dead Crape Myrtle. One way to check is to use your fingernail and scratch off a small section of bark. You should see some green just under the surface. If you do, this means the tree is still alive.Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?
The number one most common reason Crepe Myrtles fail to bloom is improper pruning techniques (or a lack of pruning altogether). Crepe Myrtles bloom on the current season's growth. If they are pruned too late, all the new wood is removed and the flower buds never develop.Why are the leaves falling off my crepe myrtles?
Sap-sucking insects -- such as aphids -- feed on the vital juice coursing through the crape myrtles leaves. Their feeding results in stunted growth and wilted leaves that drop from plant prematurely. Alternatively, introduce ladybugs, lacewings and other predatory insects that will feed on the sap-sucking pests.What do you spray on aphids with crepe myrtles?
Spray the tree with a molasses solution (2 ounces of molasses to 1 gallon of water) and then release lady bugs (available at some garden centers). You also could treat with neem or a horticultural oil. Once the aphids are gone, the sooty mold will gradually disappear.Do crepe myrtles drop their leaves?
Common crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indicia) is a deciduous tree or small bush that comes in over 50 cultivars. Some varieties grow in bush form and do not exceed 5 feet in height at full maturity. As a deciduous tree, crape myrtles -- also written as crapemyrtle and crepe myrtle -- do lose their leaves in winter.What causes sooty mold?
Sooty mold is actually a fungus that grows on plants with heavy aphid, scale or whitefly damage. When these pests munch on your plants they excrete a residue euphemistically called "honeydew". First you need to address the root cause of the sooty mold: aphids, scale, and whiteflies.What do you feed crepe myrtle?
Crape myrtles require large amounts of nitrogen to foster growth and produce the greatest number of flowers. Choose a high-nitrogen, all-purpose lawn and garden fertilizer such as an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 solution. A 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 solution is also acceptable if applied at a lesser rate.How long does it take to grow a crepe myrtle?
between 10 and 20 years
Why are leaves falling off my tree in the summer?
Leaf loss during the late summer can be caused by a problem with the water. Too little or too much water can cause your tree to drop leaves prematurely. If the summer has had drought-like conditions, your tree will lose its leaves in an effort to combat the stress that the low water conditions have placed on it.Is crape myrtle messy?
Crape myrtles also require pruning to promote the new growth needed for blooming, to reveal the bark, and to keep the shrub or tree tidy. Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up. 
