Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a crepe myrtle tree. I live in upstate New York, I believe in zone 5. I cannot find a crepe myrtle suited for my zone, but I was wondering if I planted one in spring and then in fall I put a thick base of mulch around the base of the tree and then put some plastic around the base also. Do you think this would protect the tree during the winter months? Thank you for any help.
Crepe Myrtle...
It all depends on how deep the ground around it freezes which is another thing altogether. They aren't recommended for zones lower than 6.
This message was edited Feb 14, 2019 3:18 PM
Cville-Gardner,
Thank you very much for the reply. I see that you live in Tennessee. My wife, two daughters and myself went there last summer for vacation and this is where I saw the crepe myrtle trees. I have had never seen one before and instantly loved them. But, I guess I will not try my luck with one, thanks again.
This was one of the first things I planted when we moved here.
Quote from Cville_Gardener :
This was one of the first things I planted when we moved here.
Beautiful color.
Hi RichieC:
While you will never likely be able to grow Crapemyrtle to sizeable trees in New York, you can sure give one the old college try. Getting roots established under them is the key, even if the top freezes back. I only knew this species in central Kentucky as a shrubby multistemmed plant from my younger days, because the tops would regularly freeze back on older selections.
Nowadays, named varieties like 'Sarah's Favorite' and 'Hopi' have proven to tolerate regular cold low temperatures, sometimes to -10F, without dying back. -30F, on the other hand, might mean outright death.
I would plant what you can afford to lose. Do what you've stated for winter protection, and anything else you can think of. When you plant, do everything above/beyond to encourage additional root growth, so you have extra reserves from which to sprout new growth/stems if and when the tops may freeze back.
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