crape myrtle

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Violet Filli') should be watered once a week with 1 inch of water. The amount of water will depend on the size of the container in which the crape myrtle is planted. During its growing season, which is typically from late spring to early fall, provide the crape myrtle with additional water as needed. A helpful rule of thumb is to give the plant a good soaking until the top few inches of soil feel moist. In the summer months, the crape myrtle should be checked more frequently as it can quickly dry out. Water around the base of the plant and avoid getting the foliage wet as this could lead to leaf spots. When temperatures dip in the winter, reduce the frequency of watering to once every 2 to 3 weeks.

Crape myrtle thrives when planted in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When grown in full sun, crape myrtle can provide a vibrant display of glorious colors in the summer. However, they can tolerate light afternoon shade in the hottest months. Avoid planting or relocating crape myrtles in shaded areas as they are less likely to flower there.

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica 'Violet Filli') should be pruned in late winter or very early spring just before the buds break and before the start of the new growing season. When pruning, remove all dead, diseased, or weak growth and any crossing, broken, or misplaced branches. You should also trim any excess growth and reduce the size of the canopy to maintain the desired shape. To promote flowering, selectively thin the outer branches back to about 2-3 main stems per branch. Be sure to leave some stems with flowers and avoid pruning more than about 1/3 of the branches. The goal is to thin out, not to shear the tree. By following these tips you can ensure your crape myrtle looks its best during its peak bloom period from late summer into early fall.