Crepe Vinca minor Tree get their name from the wrinkle in the petals of their efflorescence , which observers believed resemble crepe paper . gardener prize certain species , such asthe common crepe Vinca minor , as ornamental plants because of their showy blooms and duncical green foliage . A tree with many positive qualities , the crepe myrtle also has a few impuissance .
Pruning
Crepe myrtles do n’t always respond well to labored pruning and gardener must take extra care when trim these tree . Cutting back all of the mellow branches , or topping , is a peculiarly bad recitation . The regrowth that results will do in scraggly and weak and might not bear efflorescence . Topping also harms the raw contour of tree . Rather than giving crepe myrtle a heavy annual pruning , but cut back frail or damaged leg selectively . invalidate trimming arm larger than 1 inch wide , if potential .
Cold Intolerant
Crepe myrtles flourish in the sunshine and heat energy . They do n’t in the main like colder weather and seldom thrive any farther N than U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone 7 . A crepe myrtle planted in a climate colder than it prefers might not blossom . Young crepe myrtles typically react more negatively to coldness than established trees . Several cultivar exhibit more cold margin than others . find out with your county extension for more information on the insensate permissiveness of various types of crepe myrtles .
Powdery Mildew
Crepe myrtle has proved peculiarly susceptible to a disease called powdery mold . This fungus often attacks crape myrtle in dry , hot summers . in high spirits humidity , low rain and poor breeze circulation increase a tree ’s vulnerability to this disease , harmonise to the U.S. National Arboretum . The best method of bar is to select variety with resistance to powdery mildew . Treat infected trees with fungicide or horticultural oil color and postdate the recording label directions .
Aphids
If you spot yellow - green insects causing scathe to crepe paper myrtle foliage , then a gadfly called the crape myrtle aphid is attacking your tree . Under normal circumstances , beneficial insects such as the lady bug keep this blighter under command , but spray pesticides on your works might reduce the population of beneficial insects and leave the aphids without any rude marauder . you may control the aphid by reducing the use of pesticides , which increase the predator insects , washing the leaves with a spray of water or treating the plant with a horticultural goop ,
