Pruning Dwarf Crepe Myrtle Bushes
If your dwarf crape myrtle are young and sparsely branched with maybe just a few widely spaced stemsbranches you might want to give them a pruning to make them more dense.
Pruning dwarf crepe myrtle bushes. You do not need to prune these trees at all as they have a really nice growth habit as well as attractive bark especially on older trees. Removing spent flowers after they finish to tidy the plant. Some gardeners choose to prune heavily to promote more flower growth and a smaller tree.
So dont worry if February is slipping away on you. People often go for the dwarf type of crepe myrtle when they have smaller gardens but wish to have a beautiful plant growing on it. Crepe myrtle can become densely branched if allowed to grow as it pleases and some people may be concerned that this isnt good for the health of the tree.
If youd like a single-stem tree start pruning while the plant is still young. Restrict your tasks to cleaning up leaves and other debris around the dwarf myrtle. Crepe myrtles respond well to pruning which is best done in mid-winter when trees are bare of leaves.
If your dwarf crape myrtle is young and sparsely branched with maybe just a few widely spaced stemsbranches you might want to give it a pruning to make it grow more dense. In this video learn. Crapemyrtle trees bloom on the new growth so any pruning that is needed should be done prior to new growth beginningfor most of the south this will be from mid February through mid March.
Click to see full answer. If so use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut these long branches back by one-quarter to half their height. If so use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut these branches back by one-third to half their height.
Prune only dead and diseased growth. Removing the flowers and pods encourages new buds for a second flowering in late. Extend the bloom season by deadheading as Razzle Dazzle dwarf crape myrtles bloom from flowers on branch ends.
Late-season pruning encourages new growth and foliage that is vulnerable to frost and winter damage.
Pruning dwarf crepe myrtle bushes. Removing the flowers and pods encourages new buds for a second flowering in late. Prune only dead and diseased growth. Crepe myrtle can become densely branched if allowed to grow as it pleases and some people may be concerned that this isnt good for the health of the tree.
If so use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut these branches back by one-third to half their height. If youd like a single-stem tree start pruning while the plant is still young. To keep them compact trim back branches by about 30cm all over.
Be aware however that this can lead to larger numbers. Some gardeners choose to prune heavily to promote more flower growth and a smaller tree. This may include removing lower branches to create a higher.
Click to see full answer. Prune a younger plant to encourage the form that you desire. However the downside of this annual pruning is that it creates an ugly butchered looking plant.
So dont worry if February is slipping away on you. Click to see full answer. Late Winter - Youll want to prune dwarf crape myrtle in late winter or early spring before new leaves begin to emerge.
After a few years of pruning like this you shouldnt have to prune anymore - the plant will keep a nice dense form all on its own. The good news is most Crape Myrtles can be pruned with hand held shears or long handles loppers. If so use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut these branches back by one-third to half their height.
Prune a younger plant to encourage the form that you desire.
Pruning dwarf crepe myrtle bushes. Pruning to Promote Health. If you wish you can cut them back much harder than this they ll send out long. Remove any excess stems and branches in the middle of the plant to allow better circulation and avoid pest infestation.
So with that being said it pays to prune your Crape Myrtles in the winter months as soon as November at as late at March when they are dormant. If so use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut these long branches back by one-quarter to half their height. Removing the flowers and pods encourages new buds for a second flowering in late.
Crepe myrtles can be heavily pruned in winter to encourage the development of long arching branches of flowers. We suggest that pruning is not the best way to develop a nice looking specimen and if you are looking for a smaller tree try the dwarf and smaller growing cultivars. Herein should crepe myrtle bushes be pruned.
Pruning crape myrtle bushes helps encourage new growth improve its appearance and remove dead branches. Pruning Crape Myrtle Bushes. If yours are way out of control then a chainsaw might be necessary in the most extreme cases.
If you decide to prune crape myrtle bushes always trim them in winter. How To Prune. Crepe myrtles respond well to pruning which is best done in mid-winter when trees are bare of leaves.
That said there are some times that you may wish to prune. This pruning method will double the number of branches every year. Restrict your tasks to cleaning up leaves and other debris around the dwarf myrtle.