Bunches of cloud-like blooms are the hallmark of Crape Myrtle and are part of the reason why this shrub is so popular. Crape Myrtle will be covered in flowers during the spring and summer when cared for properly. This plant has a well-deserved reputation for being easy to care for, yet it still requires simple maintenance.
When the plant does not receive the proper care, it may not bloom. Learn to identify what this plant needs to push out gorgeous flowers and what may stunt the growth and prevent buds from forming. We also explain how you can get your Crape Myrtle to bloom.
Common Reasons Why Crape Myrtle Isn’t Blooming
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Pruning
Pruning is perhaps the most challenging aspect of maintaining Crape Myrtle. This upright shrub needs some trimming to present the desired tree-like appearance, but too much pruning, known as Crape murder, can be detrimental.
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Not Enough Light
Crape Myrtles thrive in sunny areas, and the plant may not bloom if it is not receiving enough sunlight. New buildings or neighboring plants that have overtaken the Crape Myrtle could be blocking sunlight. Transplanting the plant to a sunny area may help the plant bloom.
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Fertilizer
Regular applications of balanced plant food during the growing season will promote new growth and flowers. Crape Myrtle may not bloom if the plant suffers from a nutrient imbalance. Routinely feeding the plant can help resolve this problem. Using the incorrect fertilizer could also prevent flowers from developing. Crape Myrtle requires a balanced fertilizer, so look for a product with consistent numbers, like 10-10-10.
Pruning Crape Myrtle To Help It Bloom
Pruning Crape Myrtle will help the plant bloom, but where and when the plant is trimmed matters. Flowers grow on new wood, so the plant should be cut before new growth appears in the spring. Removing new growth will limit flower production. Crape Myrtle can be pruned at any time while the plant is dormant.
This shrub naturally has multiple trunks, and removing small trunks allows the plant to put all of its energy into growing just fewer larger trunks. Trimming away smaller trunks will give the plant more of a tree-like look and naturally thin out the canopy so the plant is not competing with itself and can produce more blooms.
Fertilizing Crape Myrtle To Help It Bloom
Landscape plants sometimes need help to look their best, so fertilizing plants ensure they receive a proper balance of nutrition, which can help the plants bloom. Crape Myrtle does best with balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. For instance, a plant food high in nitrogen may prevent the plant from forming flowers. Select a balanced fertilizer and follow the application instructions to help your Crape Myrtle bloom.
Get Crape Myrtle To Produce More Blooms
If your Crape Myrtle is not blooming, we suggest observing the plant to determine the likely culprit. Pruning the plan to remove overgrowth may help the plant produce more blooms, but be careful not to remove new growth. Ensure the plant is receiving enough sunlight. Cutting back nearby plants or possibly transplanting the Crape Myrtle to a bright, unobstructed area may help the plant bloom. Lastly, adjust the fertilizer to provide the correct balance of nutrition to support healthy growth and plenty of blooms.
Why Crape Myrtle Isn’t Blooming
- Too much pruning or Crape murder
- Not enough pruning and overgrown
- Insufficient sunlight
- Improper fertilizer or feeding schedule
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Author Alison Cotsonas - Published 25-01-2022 |