Cherokee Crape Myrtle Tree

1. Planting: Crapes are full sun lovers, so try and find a spot where they will get as much sun as possible...about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily with well-drained soil.

After you have found your planting area, make your hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place your Crape in the hole and make sure that the root crown (where the root ball meets the trunk(s) of the tree) is level with the soil surface. Tamp down the soil lightly as you backfill the hole to prevent air pockets from forming and then water after you’ve finished. Mulch the area around the tree to conserve water moisture.

2. Watering: After planting, water regularly to start. If the climate is hot, you may need to water a few times weekly, especially in lighter soils. During the cooler seasons, you’ll only need to water once weekly. But if you're not sure when to water, simply check the soil about 2 or 3 inches down in the surrounding area. If the soil is dry here, it's time to water.

3. Fertilizing: Your Cherokee Crape will greatly benefit from a light application of a complete, balanced, slow-release fertilizer formula in the early spring and summer seasons.

4. Pruning: Prune in the late winter, removing all but 4 to 5 strong trunks and then removing the lateral branches around the bottom half of the tree. To encourage branching, make your cuts on the longer, leggy limbs. And remove any damaged or crossing branches during the late winter.