pruning or not pruning your crape mrytles is relative to what hieght you would like them to bloom at and where in the landscape they are planted!

so at what hieght you decide, would be relative to the design! typically if planted within the plant bed areas, crapes are used as "accents" and would be trimmed so as to have blooms at a particular hieght. If they are used out in the open lawn areas then typically you would not trim them!

Well dcluck, you showed me. I never saw the pictures or the last few posts because I was in such a rush to post a reply.

Is it necessary or desirable to trim off the old seed heads? I have four trees, each about 15 ft. tall. It's a total pain to have to lug out the ladder to trim them (and the pole trimmer is no easier to use). I'd love to just trim off the base suckers and be done.

Bill, I also live in East Dallas, and have a number of crepe myrtles. Two are very very old. The rest are at least 15 years old. Last year none of them bloomed as much as usual. Did yours? Do you do anything special for yours, or just use organic fertilizer when you fertilize the lawn?

Everbody else, any blooming tips?
Thx,
K

kathiec
It is not necessary to trim the seed heads off but only you can decide if it is desirable. Some people like the "cleaned up" look.
I was visiting with a lady last night that has been in the organic landscaping business for 40 years. She has a row of 20-30 crape myrtles planted along the driveway. Last year, she got on a ladder and spent a lot of time trimming the seed heads off every other tree. I saw a picture of them in full bloom and could not tell the difference one bit. Guess who won't be trimming seeds heads off this year?
Tony M

I do not trim the seed heads on my crepe myrtles. When it snowed, it looked as if white blooms were on them. It was really pretty.

Kay... mine took a long time to bloom last year and it was a common question here. If you recall, we had a wet, cool spring. That held them back. Then, by the time the heat came, mine on the east side did not bloom as much as usual because the 50 year old pecans across the street were now stealing their morning sun!

My organic treatment for them has always been CGM in spring/fall (more for the grass on the parkway) and an organic fertilizer in June. About 4 times between May and Sept I use a hose end sprayer w/ Garrett Juice and let them all have it top to bottom!

Hope that helps... good luck!