Tuscarora Crape Myrtle

1. Planting: Crapes are full sun lovers, so try and find a spot where they will get as much sun as possible. However, the Tuscarora is very adaptable to many soil types so just be sure that the area you’re looking to plant has adequate drainage when watering.

After you have found your planting area, make your hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place your Crape in the hole and make sure that the root crown (where the root ball meets the trunk(s) of the tree) is level with the soil surface. Tamp down the soil lightly as you back fill the hole to prevent air pockets from forming and then water after you’ve finished to settle the soil. Mulch the area around the tree to conserve water moisture.

2. Watering: Myrtles are quite drought tolerant but may need a bit more attention with watering during the hot summer season. Depending on your soil, there may need to be more frequent waterings, especially those with very sandy soils. After planting, water regularly to start. If the climate is hot, you may need to water up to five times weekly, especially in lighter soils. During the cooler seasons, you’ll only need to water once weekly.

But if you're not sure when to water, simply check the soil about 2 or 3 inches down in the surrounding area. If the soil is dry here, it's time to water.

3. Pruning: Prune in the late winter, and sterilize your cutting tools with rubbing alcohol for a clean cut. Also, always make your cuts at a 45-degree angle.

Only a light pruning of the Myrtle is needed to encourage plenty of blooms. For a more graceful tree shape, remove all but 4 to 5 strong trunks and then remove the lateral branches around the bottom half of the tree. To encourage branching, make your cuts on the longer, leggy limbs. And remove any damaged, diseased, or crossing branches during the late winter, as well as any suckers or low growths.

4. Fertilizing: Your Tuscarora Crape will greatly benefit from a light application of a complete, balanced, slow-release fertilizer formula in the early spring and summer seasons.