Crape myrtle is ideal choice to flourish in summer's heat

If the recent heat wave of almost two weeks of triple-digit temperatures has discouraged you a bit about gardening, don't give up. The crape myrtle, technically lagerstroemia indica, is the ideal summer flowering shrub or tree.
It thrives in high and dry heat, has few problems of disease and insect infestation and can be found in miniature, weeping varieties as well as trees up to 30 feet or more in height.
Sometimes called crepe myrtles because the crinkly form of the flowers resembles crepe paper, this plant blooms from May to October in shades of pink, red, purple and white. It can be grown in pots, containers or hanging baskets as well as being planted in the ground.
Native to China, the crape myrtle can be grown in all 50 United States as well as many foreign countries. Easy to propagate, in the last five years more than two dozen new varieties of crape myrtle trees, dwarf and miniature crapes have been introduced into the United States from major breeding and hybridization programs in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.
In Canada and the far northern states, the new minis can be grown in pots or hanging baskets during spring, summer and fall, then moved to a sunny window to overwinter. It is truly one of the most versatile plants you can grow.
Crape myrtles require moderate- to well-drained soils that are well oxygenated. The soil pH should be 5.5 to 7.5 with 6.5 being ideal. For superior flowering, they require full sun a minimum of six hours a day.
They will grow in the shade but will not be so full, and flowering will be diminished or non-existent.
They are quite drought tolerant once established, but supplemental watering during dry spells will provide better growth and flowering. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch out to the drip line of the tree will help modify the soil temperature and conserve moisture.
Newly planted trees should be watered up to five times a week, depending on the time of year they are planted. If planted during the dormant season, they need to be watered only once a week, depending on soil moisture levels.
The root system will continue to grow during the winter months. Planted during the hotter times of the year, they may need water almost daily.
Until crape myrtles reach maturity, they will benefit from annual fertilization. With very young trees, you may wish to fertilize twice each year, cutting back to once a year when they begin flowering well.
The first fertilization should be done in early spring just as the new leaves begin to emerge. If you fertilize a second time, do it two months later. Use a complete fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
A slow-release fertilizer will provide nutrients over a longer period of time and will prevent overly succulent growth that may be more susceptible to insects and disease.
Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle. It is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemia.
Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers and new shoots. Heavily infected flowers may fail to open. Infected parts of the plant are usually distorted and stunted.
The most effective control measures include locating the plants in full sun, removing sprouts from the base of the plant, and planting resistant varieties.
Helen Bale can be reached at htbale@infostations.com.