I love my crepe myrtle trees with their moderately dense, dark green oval leaves, and showy pink flowers. High temperatures especially along with drought conditions can cause yellowing. What They Are: Crape myrtle aphids are a soft bodied insect that is pale yellowish-green in color with black spots on the abdomen. Most crepe myrtle trees planted today are selections of Lagerstroemia indica or hybrids between this species and Lagerstroemia faurei. Should I Worry if My Crepe Myrtles Leaves are Changing Color As long as you plant the shrubs in full sun and warm climates, crape myrtles will flower year after year. The shrub has a spread up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. So if you ask me only one main cause of crepe myrtle leaves curling and drying, I can simply advise you to check pest activities on the first note. Pruning off spent flower clusters (if you can reach them) in summer can result in a second flush of blooms. This black mold can be completely cover foliage branches and trunks. They are developing brown spots and the leaves change from their natural green to yellow, orange and red. We Southerners share certain memoriesthe smell of a freshly mowed lawn, the high-pitched cry of cicadas on sweltering days, the juicy taste of sweet watermelon, and the vision of huge crepe myrtles bent low by the weight of their blooms. 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. Miniature crape myrtle plants like the Delta Blush grow best as foundation plants, colorful borders, mass plantings, or in containers. As a small weeping crape myrtle, the Delta Blush creates an explosion of cascading pink flowers. Youre used to gorgeous dark foliage, exfoliating bark, and abundant blossoms on this usually trouble-free tree, so its alarming to see leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow. The appealing leaves on crape myrtle shrubs are dark green in summer before turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall. The various strains of the Crepe Myrtle produce a variety of beautiful flowers. The tree itself has a very hard wood that can be used in craft applications. The Crepe Myrtle tree, with the scientific name Lagerstroemia indica, can be as short as 3 feet or as tall as 200 feet at maturity depending on the species and how it is pruned. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 4.5 m). If you are a coffee drinker, regularly sprinkle coffee grinds around the base of your crepe myrtle trees to slowly lower the ph of the soil. However, the foliage remains red for several weeks. Make sure not to use this spray anytime in the flowering season. Each cluster contains hundreds of pink flowers. Since I always try to ensure I follow the best care practices when planting, watering, and fertilizing my crepe myrtles, I was very shocked to find that the leaves had turned red after I was on vacation for a few weeks. The compact small bush has masses of pinkish lavender showy flowers. They can be found clustered in branch crotches, pruning sites, and under loose bark. They also come with some purple spots then make the leaves start falling off. The undigested portion is excreted as a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. I hope this article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles. Another feature of this cultivar is its slightly drooping branches. I think she planted a ginkgo. They milk the insects for the honeydew, which they take back to other ants for food. Soil Type: Loamy, clay, well drained soil. Why Are My Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Red? Yellowing Crepe Myrtle Leaves: Why Are Leaves On Crepe Myrtle What It Does: Fortunately, this disease is not detrimental to the overall health of the crepe myrtle, but it may stunt the plant's growth. Water them just the right amount and provide good air circulation. Are your crepe myrtle leaves turning red and dropping leaves? The tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish brown inner bark. Stop fertilizing about eight weeks before the first frost. Don't leave big, ugly stubs. Californians are more likely to use the crape myrtle spelling, while those of us in the South prefer crepe myrtle.. The thick foliage, bushy growth, and compact nature make for perfect natural screens. When the leaves change color, they simply reveal other colors that are present all along. 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. 2017 Swinging Swallows Modern Square Dance Club. Bacterial leaf scorch is a big bad problem that causes leaves on crepe myrtle to turn yellow. Control these insects by blasting them off with water or by spraying them with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Insect Control. Apalachee crape myrtle shrub (left) and close up picture of the pale purple flowers (right). Lets look in detail at some of the taller varieties of Lagerstroemia indica to enhance your gardens aesthetics. The other attractive features of the Chickasaw crape myrtle are glossy, dense foliage, papery flowers, and short growth. Some sap-sucking insects do not fully digest plant sap. The lesson from this is NOT to stop planting crepe myrtles. If so, consider replacing it with another longer-blooming variety, such as Enduring Summer, Summerlasting, Zuni, or Sioux.. What It Is: Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you just sprayed your crepe myrtle with asphalt. At Christmas and the end of the dance year we have a pot-luck dinner prior to dancing. One of the common pests that plague these large shrubs is spider Hi Rafael- There are several things that can cause the yellowing of leaves on the crape myrtle. ", There is always cold water available, and tea and coffee cost a quarter per cup! This cultivar grows up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and has dense glossy-green foliage throughout the growing season. 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. Read on for information about what might be causing yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle and what action you should take to help your tree. If you know your crepe myrtle isnt patented, go ahead and create more beautiful blooming babies! Assuming good drainage, watering it well will often help move the toxins out of the area. 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. Causes For Crape Myrtle Leaves Turning Red With Black Spots Poor soil drainage and cold soil often produce red and purple spots on the leaves. Plants are available in While beetles are present most of the year, major activity occurs in March. Crape myrtle bushes are fast-growing, small to medium-sized deciduous shrubs with multiple stems. Branches wilt and die back. This fungal problem can re-appear every summer. In warm zones and full sun, the tall crape myrtle shrubs reach 12 ft. (3.6 m). Crape myrtle bushes arent fussy about soil quality, as long as the ground doesnt become waterlogged. Too little sun can depress blooms or keep your tree from blooming at all. If your crepe myrtle is already infected, treat the shrub or tree with a copper-based fungicide. Despite its flaws, I'm keeping my crepe myrtle because its perfectly pruned trunks are simply gorgeous. It thrives in when crepe myrtles are planted in shaded areas. Your best bet is to prevent outbreaks by planting crepe myrtles in open, sunny spots where air circulates freely. "@type": "Question", During summer if the leaves on your crape myrtle tree are developing small purple spots and turning red then its time for you to get into action. It's best to move them in late fall or winter, when they're leafless and dormant. Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding A Perfectly Normal Process It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed. Your crepe myrtles will just be fine. Removing the seeds takes off the weight and the branches rise up. To encourage healthy growth, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer for houseplants. What Causes It: Bark scale is a relatively new pest in the Southeastern US. These hardy shrubs are tolerant of drought, light frost, and poor soil. And why not? Crepe myrtles grow best partly acidic soil. Mmmmmm. It would be best if you planted crape myrtle bushes far enough apart to allow plenty of air circulation. The fungus clogs the plant's water transport system, which results in wilting. Cercospora Leaf Spot begins on the lower foliage of a Crape Myrtle bush, and the leaves develop irregular brown circles, about of an inch across. The larvae primarily eat grass roots but can also feed on the roots of young crepe myrtle trees. Try these very effective and practical homemade remedies to get rid of the Cercospora leaf spot from your crepe myrtles. "text": "There are various reasons why a crepe myrtle tree can change color. White-gray sporulation appears on the leaves lower surface. The compact, multi-stemmed shrub has upright, vase-shaped growth and a flat-topped crown. The multi-stemmed shrub-like trees fill front or backyards with flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Crape myrtle flowers can be in shades of red, pink, purple and white. Heres how: Improper watering interrupts the movement of phosphorus. The blooms are terminal, crepe paper-like flowers that bloom in a cluster or panicle measuring 6 to 18 inches long. Small white flowers bloom in the summer. The crepe-like petals turn the tree white, giving it an appearance of snow. But when the Crepe myrtle green leaves start turning red just before the blooming period you cannot just sit and watch. During shorter and cooler days, like during fall, the leaves produce less chlorophyll, so the other leaf pigments can be seen. It is a fungal disease. Pruning crape myrtle bushes helps encourage new growth, improve its appearance, and remove dead branches. Crepe myrtles can be often seen thriving in moisture soil. And yes, they can be very messy. Grow Chickasaw crape myrtle miniature bushes in USDA zones 7 through 9. Mine have had the same problem in the past. Phosphorus deficiency can turn the leaf purple. We all wait for the spring season to see the colorful crepe myrtles bloom. Crape myrtle shrubs flower in summer, turning the large bushes into colorful floral displays that attract birds and pollinators. Water Requirements. Crepe myrtle likes a medium amount of water and prefers consistently moist soils where it can get it. However, once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and will subsist on a deep watering to a depth of 6 inches or so once or twice per month. Until the plant is established, however, keep its soil consistently moist. You can get a moisture meter that will help them to water the right amount (our pick: Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden). " } . Apply fungicide and prevent your crepe myrtles from getting Cercospora leaf spots and get them the right amount of fertilizer. Some crape myrtle trees can grow up to 35 ft. (10 m) high. Well, this can be a concerning matter for you. Yes, I love crepe myrtles. This variety is variable in size (some forms are dwarf shrubs, others large shrubs or small trees) and habit (spreading or upright). Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Once crepe myrtles have bloomed and shed their first flowers, they will set seed. Some of the smaller and dwarf varieties flower every year with colorful flower panicles. How could anybody hate crepe myrtles? To care for crape myrtle bushes, grow the shrubs in full sun and well-draining soil. The result then is leaves turn purple or red. Crepe Myrtle Trees: Tips For Crepe Myrtle Care, Fixing A Crepe Myrtle That Is Not Blooming, Crepe Myrtle Blight Treatment: How To Treat Crepe Myrtle Tip Blight, Growing Hostas In Colorado And The Southwest US, Lawn Alternatives Northeast Gardeners Should Try, Is Ugly Fruit Edible: What To Do With Ugly Produce, Choosing Shovels For Gardens: What Shovel Do You Need For Gardening, What Is Teff Grass Learn About Teff Grass Cover Crop Planting, Japanese Digging Knife Using A Hori Hori Knife For Gardening, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. The reason is that improper watering methods disrupt the movement of phosphorus. Japanese crepe myrtles are also resistant to mildew and best known as a parent of hardy, mildew-resistant hybrids with L. indica. You can make a homemade phosphorus fertilizer just from banana peels. 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. This exposes the handsome bark and also improves air circulation, making leaf diseases such as mildew and leaf spot less likely. The tree has smooth and mottled bark. Our Club Caller is Ron Gardner, our President is Andre Blais and the Past President is Bill Shields. Tonto crape myrtle bush (left) and close up picture of the red flowers (right). 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. Also, prune dwarf forms periodically throughout the growing season, removing spent blossoms and thinning out small, twiggy growth. Consider transplanting to relocate your crepe myrtle to a spot where it will thrive. The vase-shaped growth has a wide-spreading crown that has dense, colorful foliage and flowers. So, during early winter the green leaves change their colors and turn orange, red, and yellow. Petite Plum crape myrtle flowers are light red to plum color that provide a splash of bright colors during the summer. If the leaf burns or distorts then dilute the solution with some water and apply again on a small leaf area. Plantophiles 2023 |UpVision GmbH | Privacy Policy | About us. Due to its multi-colored peeling bark, the ornamental shrub also has plenty of winter interest. Our sessions accommodate new and veteran dancers, all of whom enjoy the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Once you notice a powdery mildew outbreak, spray the foliage according to label directions in early summer with neem oil, horticultural oil, Natria Disease Control, Daconil, or Immunox. If your crepe myrtle has bacterial leaf scorch, remove the tree. For any further questions drop a comment and well get back to you. Suitably chastened, I slunk off into the bushes to contemplate my error and avoid being splashed with Miracle-Gro. You can enjoy the large colorful flower paniclesclusters of spike-shaped flowersfrom early summer until fall. Once established, the hardy shrub is relatively tolerant of drought. Do crepe myrtle leaves change color when the seasons change? }, The lush green leaves help make this a favorite in gardens and landscapes in the southern United States. Crape myrtles have a relatively compact growth habit with a spreading, vase-like shape and flat-topped growth. Is she a heretic, an insurrectionist, or just plain looney? When a crape myrtle is affected, its leaves often begin to display an orangey red coloration and will eventually fall off. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! 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. Keep leaf spot from showing up next year by raking up all the fallen crepe myrtle leaves and throwing them out with the trash. For more on aphid control as well as how to handle the associated issue of sooty mold, see our guide to common crepe myrtle problems. Crape myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing arrangement and grow oppositely on stems. Some of the hardiest crape myrtle bushes still have flowers when the first frost arrives. A disease that causes premature discoloration and leaf drop is verticillium wilt. And because the fungus spores are easily transmitted from tree to tree with the wind and more crepe myrtles are being planted every day, the problem will probably get worse. You can get a moisture meter that will help them to water the right amount (, The crape myrtles are deciduous trees. Crinkled, crepe-papery, 1- to 1 1/2-inch wide flowers in white or shades of pink, red, or purple are carried in dense clusters. See our guide to planting crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions. } Gardeners there should plant cold-hardy selections such as 'Acoma,' 'Centennial Spirit,' and 'Hopi.'. "acceptedAnswer": {