Lipan Crape Myrtle is popular in the South. This plant grows mostly in the summer. Crepe myrtles are perennial, grow quickly, and are frequently found in the multi-stemmed form. They thrive in practically any type of soil, including sand, loam, and clay, however, they prefer wet, full sun, and well-drained soil.
Lipan Crape Myrtle is also known as Lagerstroemia indica. It is one of Georgia’s most useful flowering shrubs and trees. It delivers a lot of summer colors with very little effort. Crape myrtle should be employed more frequently in residential landscaping. Crape myrtle is good for community plantings since it is long-lived, can endure drought once planted, and is generally immune to disease and insect problems.
The flowers of Lipan Crape Myrtle are mostly seen in a variety of colors such as white, pink, lavender, and red. In most cases, only one color should be used in each cluster. Lipan Crape Myrtle and other summer flowering plants are used together in harmony for beautiful landscaping designs.
Lipan Crape Myrtle Growth Rate
This plant is easy to propagate and heat and alkaline tolerant, however, it is susceptible to pests and diseases. It is also grown in pots but with regular hydration and fertilization. The growth of this plant occurs in the full sun but it also grows in moderate shade.
The blooming of this flowering plant is best from June to September, and seed pods are removed to promote flower bloom. Because of the tree’s tropical origin and early leaf drop, the autumn color on the tree is not particularly striking. This plant is also used as a roadside tree with ground cover, an espalier, or a specimen.
Lipan Crape Myrtle grows well in the areas that receive full sunlight. The growth of this plant is reduced in heavy shade. Crape myrtle development and flowering are also hindered by the presence of large shadow trees. Poor growth and flowering are frequently caused by inadequate sunlight and moisture.
Lipan Crape Myrtle Height and Spacing
The height of this plant ranges from 3 to 20 feet and it is easy to plant it because of its adaptability. Some varieties are suitable for use as modest foundation shrubs, while others are suitable for use as specimen trees. Several new varieties of Lipan Crape Myrtle have better bloom color, fall leaf color, attractive bark, and cold and disease tolerance than older seedling varieties.
Crepe myrtle cultivation and pollination result in a variety of floral hues, ranging from purple to white to reds of all shades. These plants are mostly purchased for tiny spaces with plants that mature to a height of 3 to 5 feet, as well as for huge spaces with shade trees that grow to a height of 40 feet, and virtually any size in between.
Lipan Crape Myrtle Care
To increase the growth of Lipan Crape Myrtle plants, it is required to water them once a week for at least the first two months after planting if there is no rain. Drought tolerance is high in established crape myrtle plants. Watering plants during dry periods during the flowering season improves blossoming.
The other important points that are essential for the care of these plants are as follows:
- Plant crape myrtle in full light for strong growth and plentiful blooms.
- After planting, give the soil a lot of water to settle around the roots. Then, use a mulch to keep the soil moist, keep weeds away, and protect the roots from harsh weather conditions.
- Crape myrtle thrives in full light, so make sure to plant it there.
- The care requirements for crepe myrtles are low. Feed younger plants with a high-quality controlled-release fertilizer that is specifically formulated for flowering trees and shrubs in the spring, and be sure to water them thoroughly during prolonged dry periods.
Lipan Crape Myrtle Problems
Numerous diseases affect crape myrtle, including sooty mold, root rot, powdery mildew, and Cercospora leaf spot. Powdery mildew is Georgia’s most common and dangerous illness. Powdery mildew is most common in fall and spring when temperatures are warm during the day and cool at night, and humidity is high. A powdery, white mold covers young shoots, and flowers, causing new development distortion.
Sooty mold is an unappealing black surface covering stems and leaves that can be rubbed off. It is caused by a fungus that grows on honeydew excretions left by insects like aphids, the crape myrtle’s most important insect pest. Sooty mold produces little actual harm, but it can reduce leaf vitality by limiting photosynthesis. Sooty mold can be reduced by using aphid-resistant crape myrtle cultivars and pesticide sprays.
