How to Plant a Crape Myrtle Bush

Crape myrtle shrubs (Lagerstroemia indica) are popular landscaping borders due to their long flowering season, receptivity to pruning and variety of colorful blooms. Also known as southern lilacs, crape myrtle bushes are most suited to the climate of the southern United States from the Atlantic Coast to Western Texas. Maintenance includes annual compost treatment and pruning, though the shrub and dwarf varieties will naturally fill out and cease growth without requiring diligent pruning. Planting crape myrtle shrubs is easy provided you have a sunlit place and a yard with good drainage.

Shovel
Planting soil with 5-10-5 acidity
Miniature or dwarf crape myrtle cutting

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a site for the crape myrtle. Select a spot that has well-drained soil, full sunlight and easy access to water via a garden hose or sprinkler.
- 2
  Dig a hole at least one foot deep and two or three feet in diameter. Set the removed soil aside.
- 3
  Mix half the removed soil with an equal amount of 5-10-5 acidic fertilizer. Moisten this mixture with water, reserving the other half of the removed soil.
- 4
  Place the cutting's root ball in the hole and fill with the mixed dirt and fertilizer.
- 5
  Pack remaining soil on top until the root ball's top is even with the surface of the ground.
- 6
  Water thoroughly. Crape myrtle will eventually tolerate dry soil, but it's important to keep the soil well watered for the first few weeks while the roots establish themselves.

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