Question From: P. Mccarron - Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States
Q: Have in sound five and have 10 crate myrtles for about six years now. They die to the ground every year but traditionally have done very well and I believe it's the Natchez. I don't cut the old wood back very often because the new growth tended to be quite droopy when I did however last year they didn't grow very well and I thought I had too much old wood and sun couldn't get through so I cut a lot of the old wood out after the new growth came out. None of the shrubs flowered very well. This year we had an early spring and I noticed yesterday that I have no new growth but I do have new leaf buds on old wood just at the bases of the limbs next to the ground. I have never seen that before and thought that Crape Myrtle in zone five would just resprout like always. There are no leaf sprouts coming out of the ground just the leaves that have formed at the base on old wood. should I do something? And thank you!
A: Pam, I have no experience with Crepe Myrtles as they are not hardy here in Michigan. I recommend you go to a good independent nursery that sells these shrubs and talk to the grower/buyer. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
