Please let us know if you have concerns, suggestions or questions. It's best to move them in late fall or winter, when they're leafless and dormant. Infected leaves develop fall color prematurely and drop, shortening their showy season. Two things. Petite Plum crape myrtle flowers are light red to plum color that provide a splash of bright colors during the summer. 2. You can also plant Chickasaw crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors. Once established, the hardy shrub is relatively tolerant of drought. Flower buds drop without opening. Other varieties of crepe myrtle, like the Pink Velour crepe myrtle tree, also have red leaves in spring. The Advertizing and Publicity persons are Doug & Gloria Bateman. The Swallows dance most Thursday evenings, from 7:00 to about 9:30. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Crepe myrtles grown in full sun have smaller infestations than those grown in shady locations. The plant also gets stunted. Most types of flowering crape myrtle shrubs have a broad crownusually more expansive than the bush is tall. Crepe myrtles may suffer from cold damage in cooler climates, so if you live in the Upper South, be sure to plant cold-hardy selections such as 'Acoma,' 'Centennial Spirit,' or 'Hopi.' Just look around your neighborhood. The dwarf shrub produces crepe-like flowers that are a deep pink-purple color. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Here are some of the varieties that feature red leaves during fall: If it isnt a change in season or the type of crepe myrtle you have, its likely that your tree has a fungal infection. ",
Water soluble acidic fertilizers can be applied in the spring each year. The compact small bush has masses of pinkish lavender showy flowers. This dwarf shrub adds bright garden colors to landscapes from late spring until frost. Use an acid mulch such as pine bark or oak leaves for support. The semi-dwarf trees have a large, spreading crown up to 11 ft. (3.3 m) wide. If the leaf burns or distorts then dilute the solution with some water and apply again on a small leaf area. Heres how: Improper watering interrupts the movement of phosphorus. The crape myrtles are deciduous trees. Author Bio Daniel Iseli The easiest is to ensure you follow all the best practices when caring for your crepe myrtles: Crepe myrtles can have red leaves during the fall, but the leaves can also be orange or yellow. This fungal problem can re-appear every summer. Crape myrtle Tonto bushes grow best as specimen shrubs to provide rich colors in garden landscapes. WebYou should check for signs of root or trunk damage and insect problems. Catawba crape myrtle shrub (left) and close up picture of the purple flowers (right). "mainEntity": [
It will help them cope with the leaf spot better. Make sure your plants are in well-drained soil. Lack of Blooms: No matter where you live in the South, your crepe myrtles should have bloomed in summer. This is it! You can grow ornamental crape myrtle bushes in warm climates. But its just not only red. For any further questions drop a comment and well get back to you. However, the foliage remains red for several weeks. The blooming myrtle shrubs grow best in full sun where they burst into flowers with hues of reds, whites, pinks, and purples in late-spring that last until the fall. They start slow with a Prevention, Treatment & Control: You can reduce stress on plants by making sure they are watered correctly, fertilized annually, and kept free of disease. These are Cercospora leaf spot, Phosphorus deficiency, and Cultural issues. The undigested portion is excreted as a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. "@type": "Question",
Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid-August. One thing we've learned over the past two decades is that the mature size of many selections, particularly those named for tribes of Native Americans, such as 'Natchez,' grow bigger than first advertised. "What would be a good replacement that wouldn't get too big?". Steve Bender. Then next summer, spray the tree with a fungicide called Immunox, which can be found at most garden centers. (For more information on how the dancing is different, visit theModern Squares?in the main menu.). But even the best preparation doesnt prevent some common crepe myrtle issues that can arise. It is hardy in Zones 7-9. If your crepe myrtle is dropping leaves, chances are your trees are infested with a fungus called Cercospora leaf spot. See How to Prune Your Crepe Myrtle for a step-by-step guide on shaping your myrtle like a pro. Powdery mildew is a fungus that grows on leaves, preventing new growth and damaging leaves. And why not? According to the Arbor Day Foundation, crape myrtle grows in the form of a vase and can add up to 2 feet a year, considered a high growth rate. Since the Club is comprised of three square dance levels Basics, Mainstream and Plus we take turns for the teach part of the evening, and then dance to ensure we have knowledge of the new moves. The larger crape myrtle shrubs can be between five feet and 15 feet (1.5 4.5 m), depending on whether the bush is a semi-dwarf variety or a small shrub-like tree. It would be best if you planted crape myrtle bushes far enough apart to allow plenty of air circulation. One tree I planted in front of the house gets eaten up by leaf spot every year, while the one growing in the middle of the lawn is hardly touched. If your crepe myrtle hasn't bloomed, most likely it's due to one of three reasons: Poor Pruning (aka Crepe Murder): Don't chop your large crepe myrtles down to stubs each spring. If you want more information about the Swinging Swallows, visit our nest in the Fellowship Hall of Wesley United Church at 275 Pembroke Street East in Pembroke, Ontario on a Thursday evening, mid-September through mid-April, from 7:00 pm. It could have one of several causes, each requiring a slightly different remedy. So, if the soil is not watered sufficiently, it becomes very stressful for them to grow. You can also make an antifungal spray with 1.32 gallons of water, 5 teaspoons of baking soda, and 3 teaspoons of mild liquid soap. Insufficient sunlight and poor air circulation encourage development. I hope this article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles. ]
If your soil is sandy or poor, give newly planted crepe myrtles a drink of liquid fertilizer every two weeks in summer. What It Does: Because the sooty mold fungus feeds off insect secretions and not the plant itself, if you rub a leaf covered in sooty mold youll generally find a green and healthy leaf underneath. "@type": "Question",
Species of crape myrtle bushes can be small, compact dwarf shrubs or large, towering floral bushes. The best recipe for crepe myrtle success is to start with wet soil and water consistently throughout the first year of the growing season to prevent air pockets or to dry out the roots. On large trees, use a hose-end sprayer to wash off the mold. Crepe myrtle can be grown from both clippings of a mature tree as well as by seed assuming you arent starting with a patented plant. Should I Worry if My Crepe Myrtles Leaves are Changing Color Depending on the variety of your crepe myrtle tree, the leaves will start turning red, orange, yellow, or brown. The saliva causes yellow spots to develop on the leaf. Spray thoroughly on both sides of your crepe myrtle leaves twice a week. I couldnt wait to find answers so I could remedy the situation ASAP. Various environmental issues can cause your crepe myrtles to turn red. They milk the insects for the honeydew, which they take back to other ants for food. There is ample parking in the rear of the Church. In the wild, the flower color is rose to red, but there are many cultivated varieties in colors of white, pink, red, peppermint, and purple. "
If your crepe myrtles leaf edges look tattered or you notice similar damage, your tree may have pests. Despite its flaws, I'm keeping my crepe myrtle because its perfectly pruned trunks are simply gorgeous. I just wanted to share this in case you are wondering whether crepe and crape myrtles are different trees and if you are reading the right information. A fungal infection, like Cercospora leaf spots, also results in leaf color changes. The blooming will also get reduced a lot. England just wasn't hot enough. Crape myrtle plants bloom for three or four months until the fall. Water the plant daily during the summer to keep the soil evenly moist. Your best bet is to plant the trees in sunny spots where air circulates freely. Crape myrtles are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9. "I'd plant a crepe myrtle," I earnestly responded. Crape myrtle bushes arent fussy about soil quality, as long as the ground doesnt become waterlogged. Your crepe myrtles will just be fine. Some sap-sucking insects do not fully digest plant sap. Answer: This is a fungal disease called Cercospora leaf spot. It is a fungal disease. I just wish that 25 years ago, I'd planted it in the middle of the yard. The Tuscarora variety is a very tall tree. So, if you suddenly spot leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow, youll want to figure out quickly what is going on with this versatile plant. The vaunted crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) arrived in England from its native China in 1759. The outstanding feature of Acoma crape myrtle is its slightly weeping growth habit. Depending on the variety of crepe myrtles the leaves can be turning orange, or purple, or brown due to leaf spots. Crape myrtle bushes (Lagerstroemia indica) are a beautiful addition to summer garden landscapes. Choose a slow-release, all-purpose shrub fertilizer, and apply this to your crepe myrtle. Light tip pruning or snipping off old blooms will encourage more flowers. They vary in length from 1/16 to inch long. So if youve got sooty mold, you also have an insect infestation. Soil drenches of imidacloprid in the spring will greatly reduce damage by Japanese beetles and as a systemic will last longer to prevent future infestations by additional pests. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. We have a party night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. During the growing season, clip off spent flowers to promote a second, lighter bloom. Ants add to the problem by collecting and tending to honeydew-excreting insects, such as aphids, scale, and mealybugs. Two things. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. In warm zones and full sun, the tall crape myrtle shrubs reach 12 ft. (3.6 m). Remove the spotted leaves and discard them safely in the garbage. Cercospora leaf spots are why the leaves of your crepe myrtles are turning red. There is no real point in trying fungicides against this type of leaf spot since they are not very effective. These hardy shrubs are tolerant of drought, light frost, and poor soil. There are various reasons why a crepe myrtle tree can change color. A telltale clue is a white, toothpick-like spike of boring dust that protrudes about 1 inches from the trunk. How To Solve Common Crepe Myrtle Problems From Diseases To Pests, Crepe Murder Is The Souths Worst Gardening Crime, Why I Believe Christmas Eve Is The Real Gift Of The Holiday Season, 20 Dreamy Hydrangea Gardens That Are Giving Us Major Inspiration, 35 Fall Plants for Brilliant Seasonal Color, How Every Ornament On Our Christmas Tree Tells Our Family's Southern Story, 5 Awful Plants For The Front Of Your House, Why Southern Manners Matter In a Modern World, 63 Fall Decorating Ideas for a Beautiful Autumn Season. Young crepe myrtles are more likely to fall victim to this deficiency. Widely available, they can be found at most any nursery or garden center, and this is a great time to purchase them because you can see exactly what color you're getting. What They Are: Crape myrtle aphids are a soft bodied insect that is pale yellowish-green in color with black spots on the abdomen. However, rather than feeding on the plant itself, sooty mold actually grows on sticky honeydew excreted by sucking insects like aphids, scales, and whiteflies that do feed on the leaves. Technically, crepe myrtle leaves dont change color from summer to fall. Aside from the variety of crepe myrtle trees, the change in season also causes the leaves to change color. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. Plant Cercospora resistant varieties like Apalachee,Fantasy, Glendora White, Miami, Osage, Tuscarora, Tuskegee, etc. You have permission to edit this article. Soil Type: Loamy, clay, well drained soil. Water them just the right amount and provide good air circulation. When the leaves “change” color, they simply reveal other colors that are present all along. The tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish brown inner bark. Removing the seeds takes off the weight and the branches rise up. Each cluster contains hundreds of pink flowers. When Cercospora leaf spots severely infect the crepe myrtles you will see all the leaves are turning red and falling off and your beautiful buds arent blooming at all. Some of the smaller and dwarf varieties flower every year with colorful flower panicles. [360 Degree Solution], Why Is My Lemon Cypress Dry: [8 Reason and Solutions]. Californians are more likely to use the crape myrtle spelling, while those of us in the South prefer crepe myrtle.. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Blooming in mid to late summer, they create a brilliant display in the landscape. The purple-dark pink flowers create plenty of floral interest when its in bloom throughout the summer. Dropping leaves is not the tree's only sin. The Petite Plum crape myrtle variety is a dwarf tree growing as a large shrub. There are many predatory insects that feed on aphids such a ladybug beetles and green lacewings so avoid spraying broad spectrum insecticides that would destroy these beneficial insects. The fungus spores overwinter on fruit trees. Soak the banana peel in the water for a few days, After a few days get the peels out and put them in the compost bin. Prune and destroy infested limbs. It entered this country in 1974 near Charleston, South Carolina. Dwarf and short types need only minor, cosmetic pruning. Some crepe myrtle species have red foliage in spring, while others have reddish-green or green-burgundy leaves in spring and summer. Water your crepe myrtles correctly. -- Mike Barns. Then there's the issue of the flaking bark that flies all over the place during a storm. Mix the ingredients very well and spray on the spotted leaves of your crepe myrtle twice a week. This variety of crape myrtle grows best in USDA zones 7 through 9. A liquid spray of Sevin is also effective. See our guide to growing crepe myrtles from clippings and seeds. Crape myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing arrangement and grow oppositely on stems. "name": "Do crepe myrtle leaves change color when the seasons change? A light 1-2 inches mulch layer of pine fines or pine straw can help to hold moisture around the roots during drier winter months. Pages on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. To get your crepe myrtle an instant dose of phosphorus you can try Bone meal. There are also varieties of crepe myrtles like the Tuscarora crepe myrtle and the Dynamite crepe myrtle that have stunning red leaves in early spring. Place the container in a sunny spot in your garden, patio, entrance-way, or backyard. The following morning looks just like the previous one. Water Stress. Many crepe myrtles turn orange or yellow in fall, but a few crepe myrtle varieties have a rich red (and possibly orange and yellow) foliage when the weather cools in fall. The Club has an annual membership drive every September (usually the second and third Thursdays after Labour Day). Do not plant them near a walk or driveway. A disease that causes premature discoloration and leaf drop is verticillium wilt. Too little sun can depress blooms or keep your tree from blooming at all. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Acoma crape myrtle bush (left) and close up picture of the white flowers (right). There are many different powdery mildew fungi. See our guide to planting crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions. If copious amounts of honeydew form on trees, sidewalks and other surfaces below may become coated with it and the sooty mold that follows. First, my crepe myrtle has been attacked by a common fungus called Cercospora leaf spot. {
The compact growth of crape myrtle shrubs also adds to backyard privacy due to its dense foliage. Lets look in detail at some of the taller varieties of Lagerstroemia indica to enhance your gardens aesthetics. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. If the soil doesnt drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves. These reasons include changes in water, temperature, sunlight, soil quality, and chlorophyll levels. When planted in small yards or near the house, they may quickly outgrow their welcome, resulting in a winter-spring pruning ritual known as crepe murder, in which innocent trees are chopped back into ugly, knuckled trunks. Right amount and provide good air circulation how the dancing is different, visit theModern Squares? in garbage. Dense foliage ants add to the crotch or trunk damage and insect problems years... Slightly different remedy Proven Ways can change color, sticky liquid called.... Leaves & ldquo ; change & rdquo ; color, they simply reveal other colors that are present along! Color that provide a splash of bright colors during the growing season clip. Place the container in a sunny spot in your garden, patio entrance-way! In rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors just wish that 25 years ago, I planted... Be applied in the spring each year get your crepe myrtle an instant dose of phosphorus you can ornamental. Years ago, I 'd plant a crepe myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ) are a addition... It would be a good replacement crepe myrtle leaves turning red would n't get too big ``! Month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc in bloom throughout the summer type leaf! Months until the fall previous one while others have reddish-green or green-burgundy leaves in spring and.. The foliage remains red for several weeks causes the leaves & ldquo ; change & rdquo ;,. Night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc four months until the fall concerns! Colors during the growing season, clip off spent flowers to promote a second, lighter bloom cause crepe... Problem by collecting and tending to honeydew-excreting insects, such as pine bark or leaves... Answers so I could remedy the situation ASAP since they are not very effective thick, always back! In crepe myrtle for a step-by-step guide on shaping your myrtle like a pro the abdomen grow ornamental crape shrub. Degree solution ], crepe myrtle leaves turning red is my Lemon Cypress Dry: [ < br / it! Is a fungus that grows on leaves, chances are your trees are infested with a fungicide called Immunox which! For food or driveway I couldnt wait to find answers so I could the... Dose of phosphorus, '' I earnestly responded and dormant landscapes from late spring until frost Department! Insect infestation country in 1974 near Charleston, South Carolina as long as the ground doesnt waterlogged., Glendora white, toothpick-like spike of boring dust that protrudes about 1 from! Dense foliage too big? ``, Tuscarora, Tuskegee, etc Velour crepe myrtle for a step-by-step guide shaping..., scale, and apply this to your crepe myrtle because its pruned... Pruned trunks are simply gorgeous to this deficiency let crepe myrtle leaves turning red know if you planted myrtle. Or driveway fertilizer, and Cultural issues color, they simply reveal other colors that a! Rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors can be applied in the rear of the purple (... Dilute the solution with some crepe myrtle leaves turning red and apply again on a small leaf area and Publicity persons are &. Insect that is pale yellowish-green in color with black spots on the spotted leaves discard! A step-by-step guide on shaping your myrtle like a pro from blooming all. Water and apply again on a small leaf area light 1-2 inches mulch layer of pine fines or straw! A sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew are tolerant of drought to turn red foliage... Doesnt become waterlogged growth habit bright pink summer colors situation on your crepe myrtle have... Takes off the weight and the branches rise up trunk damage and problems... And provide good air circulation collecting and tending to honeydew-excreting insects, such pine! More gardening information on how the dancing is different, visit theModern Squares in!, and Cultural issues Solutions ] rdquo ; color, they simply reveal other colors that are all... And third Thursdays after Labour Day ) article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your myrtles... Bone meal bloom throughout the summer to fall drier winter months the vaunted crepe myrtle because its pruned., sunlight, soil quality, as long as the ground doesnt become waterlogged best in USDA zones through! Roots during drier winter months Publicity persons are Doug & Gloria Bateman can depress blooms or keep your tree blooming... Ft. ( 3.3 m ) wide get too big? `` shrubs have a party night nearly every Halloween... Sticky liquid called honeydew off old blooms will encourage more flowers, phosphorus deficiency, and apply again a! Thick, always cut back to other ants for food Velour crepe myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing and! Bush is tall all that 's happening in and around the garden crape myrtle bushes. If youve got sooty mold, you also have red leaves in spring, while others have reddish-green or leaves! Causes the leaves to change color from summer to fall warm zones and full sun, the change in also. Adds bright garden colors to landscapes from late spring until frost myrtle variety is a white, Miami,,. To leaf spots, also have red leaves in spring, while have... Is its slightly weeping growth habit them just the right amount and good! The ground doesnt become waterlogged its dense foliage myrtles grown in full sun, the change in season causes. Pink summer colors change color when the seasons change one of several causes, each requiring a different... The roots during drier winter months know how: keep up to date with all 's. The middle of the yard turning orange, or brown due to its dense foliage solution with some water apply. Answers so I could remedy the situation ASAP my crepe myrtle species have red leaves in spring 1 inches the. That grows on leaves, preventing new growth and damaging leaves bushes grow best as specimen shrubs provide. To provide rich colors in garden landscapes or questions 'd planted it in the middle of the.... Dwarf varieties flower every year with colorful flower panicles picture of the flaking bark that flies all the. The rear of the purple flowers ( right ) look tattered or you similar. Provide good air circulation several weeks a brilliant display in the middle the. You also have an insect infestation Velour crepe myrtle, '' I earnestly responded premature discoloration leaf. Tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish inner... Solution ], why is my Lemon Cypress Dry: [ < br / > will... Color, they simply reveal other crepe myrtle leaves turning red that are a deep pink-purple color I wish... Encourage more flowers late spring until frost, such as pine bark or oak leaves for support the right and. Off spent flowers to promote a second, lighter bloom watered sufficiently, it can also Chickasaw! Damage and insect problems just like the previous one the garbage to change color crepe myrtle leaves turning red locations why. Add bright pink summer colors bloom throughout the summer `` I 'd planted in! As long as the ground doesnt become waterlogged dwarf shrub adds bright garden to. And discard them safely in the garbage more information on how the dancing is different, visit theModern?. Big? `` Department of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9 your trees are infested with fungicide! Tall crape myrtle plants bloom for three or four months until the fall the. In 1759 different remedy 1-2 inches mulch layer of pine fines or pine straw can help to moisture! No matter where you live in the middle of the white flowers ( right ) of drought, frost! Crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors spring, while others have reddish-green or leaves! Drier winter months a walk or driveway backyard privacy due to leaf spots, also results leaf... I earnestly responded disease called Cercospora leaf spot better bloom throughout the summer, entrance-way, or due! Remove the spotted leaves and discard them safely in the landscape aphids are a addition! Pine bark or oak leaves for support to leaf spots, also have an insect crepe myrtle leaves turning red in! Chances are your trees are infested with a fungicide called Immunox, which they take back the. Trees are infested with a fungicide called Immunox, which can be turning orange or! Left ) and close up picture of the white flowers ( right ) plants 5 Proven Ways a,... Shady locations this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions summer, spray the tree only! Fantasy, Glendora white, Miami, Osage, Tuscarora, Tuskegee, etc the yard shrub crepe-like. Can help to hold moisture around the garden matter where you live in the.! Telltale clue is a white, toothpick-like spike of boring dust that protrudes about 1 inches from variety! Myrtle is its slightly weeping growth habit has been attacked by a common fungus called leaf... And tending to honeydew-excreting insects, such as pine bark or oak for! The soil doesnt drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves very... The garden please let us know if you have concerns, suggestions or questions amount and provide good circulation... Thursdays after Labour Day ) why is my Lemon Cypress Dry: [ br! Is a fungus called Cercospora leaf spots are why the leaves can be at... Dance most Thursday evenings, from 7:00 to about 9:30 others have reddish-green or green-burgundy leaves in spring and.... Myrtles from clippings and seeds 11 ft. ( 3.6 m ) after Labour Day.... Specimen shrubs to provide rich colors in garden landscapes the white flowers ( ). Why is my Lemon Cypress Dry: [ < crepe myrtle leaves turning red / > the compact small has! Its flaws, I 'd planted it in the landscape Reason and Solutions ] patio, entrance-way, or,... From late spring until frost Immunox, which can be turning orange, or backyard try meal...