crape myrtle

During the summer months, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I' RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY) should be watered deeply once per week. If the weather is very hot and dry, try to water thoroughly twice weekly. It is important to provide enough water so that the soil around the roots is moist. Make sure to avoid shallow watering as this can promote shallow root growth and lead to unhealthy plants. During the cooler months, water less often, about every 2 to 3 weeks. A general rule of thumb is to let the soil dry out between watering.

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I' RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY) should be grown in an area that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The plant benefits from partial shade during the hottest part of the day, but too much shade will greatly limit blooming. If you live in an area with intense summer sun, consider providing the tree some shade in the afternoon and early evening hours. For optimal bloom growth, crape myrtle should receive full sun in the early morning hours but be shaded later as temperatures rise.

The best time to prune Crape Myrtle trees (Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I' RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY) is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning should be done with care. This will eliminate or reduce the need for frequent and drastic pruning. Start pruning crape myrtles at a young age to establish a nice shape. This should be done within the first 3 years for best results. However, older trees can still be pruned. When pruning, make sure to remove only dead, damaged, or diseased branches and avoid cutting too far back into old wood. Keeping the tree well pruned will produce more flowers and enhance the overall health of the tree. It is best to remove no more than 1-third of the growth each year.