Use and Care Manual

USE & CARE MANUAL

CRAPE MYRTLES

(Lagerstroemia Indica)

PLANTING GUIDE:

STEP 1) First, decide on a planting location.

Consider carefully what kind of sun, soil,

and growing-space your tree or shrub will

need.

STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect

spot, the hole you are digging must be at

least double the width and as deep as the

root system you are planting.

STEP 3) The top of the root system should

be level with the ground. Before placing

the tree or shrub in the hole, use your

hands to gently break up the root system.

STEP 4) Once the tree is in place, backfill

the hole with native soil and any leftover

potting material.

STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate

any air pockets.

STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.

(continued below)

PAGE 1
USE & CARE MANUAL CRAPE MYRTLES (Lagerstroemia Indica) PLANTING GUIDE: STEP 1) First, decide on a planting location. Consider carefully what kind of sun, soil, and growing-space your tree or shrub will need. STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting. STEP 3) The top of the root system should be level with the ground.
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PLANTING CARE: The crape myrtle prefers well-draining clay, loam, or sandy soils. The pH level of the soil should be 5.5 to 7.5. Mulch in the spring & fall. The mulch should be about 4-6 inches deep (acid mulch, pine bark or oak leaves). Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. Do not mulch with mushroom compost. Fertilization Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring as soon as the leaves appear and again in two months.
PAGE 3
If you choose to prune however, follow the simple steps: First, remove suckers from the base of the plant. Second, as the tree grows, remove lower branches form the bottom third of the tree to expose the trunk character. Last, remove crowded or crossing branches from the canopy. The seedheads are an attractive feature and should be left on the tree. As the new growth pushed in the spring, the seedheads fall off.