crape myrtle

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia 'Yuma') thrive in full sun and plenty of water. As a general rule, water your crape myrtle deeply every 7-10 days during the summer months. For best results, water your crape myrtle in the morning or late afternoon so that the foliage and roots have time to dry off before sunset, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. In areas with limited rainfall, irrigating with 1 inch of water per week is recommended. In times of extended drought, crape myrtles may need supplemental watering.

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia 'Yuma') enjoy full sun for the majority of the day and thrive when planted in locations that receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight. They also prefer temperatures between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Although Crape myrtles can tolerate partly shaded areas, they can suffer from lack of flower production if a majority of their hours are spent in the shade.

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia 'Yuma') should be pruned both during the dormant season (late winter to early spring) and throughout the growing season. During the dormant season, prune off any dead stems, branches and any others that appear weak. Remove any suckers, or any stems growing from the base of the plant. This will help promote a healthier, stronger tree. Also, remove any crossing branches than can rub against each other. Prune crape myrtles during the growing season to control their size, shape and to get the flowers in a particular area. Cut back any stems that are larger than 1/2-inch diameter and cut out any stems or branches that are unhealthy or crossing over other branches. Cutting back the branches can help maintain a smaller size and tidy, mounding shape as desired. Additionally, pruning can help direct flowering towards a desired area of the plant. Be sure to use proper pruning techniques whenever pruning crape myrtles.