I just planted two Dynamite Crepe Myrtle trees for next spring. I read somewhere that they... "Hardy in Zones 6-9 (protect the first winter in Zone 6)". I am in CT...Zone 6 but I don't know what is meant by "protect".
The instructions I received with the trees didn't stipulate any specific 'winter' care. Does anyone know if I need to do anything special?
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Protect, I usually take it as mulch, so I suggest piling dead leaves around the base of the tree to sort of protect the roots. If you wait a bit longer, someone who actually has a crepe myrtle might be able to help for sure
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Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth My WebsiteMy Blog Plants: 1697 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 2006
| Seeded: 74.117.220.97
I probably should have figured that out. Actually, when I planted them, I added mulch around the base so I might not have to do anything. We'll see....
Take Care!
Plants: 15 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Aug 2006
| Seeded: 71.234.23.236
I am from CT, too. I have been trying to grow Crepe Myrtles for awhile now. I am assuming from your handle your on the coast which is the only area of the state that they have a real chance. It seems every 10 years or so a really bad winter comes along and burns mine to the ground. So they seem to be root hardy in Zone 6 but the stems are sometimes damaged. Planting in a protected location is the best thing you can do (like along a south facing wall) for protection. I recently saw 'Dynamite' out on Long Island and fell in love with the color.
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You might want to get one of the Dwarf Crepe Myrtle if the trees don't work out. Becareful about mulching around the base of a tree. They can have trouble if anything is touching their bark. You might want to put some edging around the trunk to keep the mulch from touching it.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.150.158
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