When do you plant crape myrtle?

Southern Living magazine suggests planting crepe myrtles between late fall and early spring, while the plant is largely dormant. This timing allows for more growth once warmer springtime weather reactivates the tree.

When first planting crepe myrtle, water the plant well and apply mulch to retain water. Fertilizer is also recommended. These steps give the tree a better chance of establishing significant root structure in the first year after transplant. Southern Living also proposes regular pruning of low limbs to maintain the health of the upper branches and tree overall. Trimming seedpods that form after the initial bloom produces new shoots with buds that allow the tree to blossom again.