Crepe myrtles are popular ornamental trees that add vibrant color and texture to landscapes. With their attractive flowers and foliage, they are a great way to add interest to any yard. But what should you plant under crepe myrtles? Depending on the size of the tree, there are a variety of options for companion plants that will thrive in the filtered light created by the crepe myrtle’s canopy. From colorful annuals to shade-loving perennials, there is something for everyone when it comes to creating an inviting garden underneath a crepe myrtle.When planting under Crepe Myrtle trees, it is important to choose plants that can tolerate partial shade and will not out-compete the tree for resources. Some good choices include hostas, ferns, Japanese forest grass, and Astilbe. Groundcover plants such as vinca, pachysandra, and ivy are also great options for planting under Crepe Myrtle trees.
The Benefits of Planting Under Crepe Myrtle Trees
Crepe myrtle trees are a popular choice for landscaping in the southern United States. Their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms make them a great addition to any yard. But did you know that you can also plant under crepe myrtle trees? This can provide a number of benefits, including providing shade and creating an attractive landscape.
One of the main benefits of planting under crepe myrtle trees is providing shade. Crepe myrtles can grow up to 20 feet high, so they can create ample shade for your yard or garden. This is especially helpful during the summer months when temperatures can get quite high. The shade provided by crepe myrtles will keep your plants cool and help protect them from the harsh sun.
Another benefit of planting under crepe myrtle trees is that it provides an attractive landscape. With their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms, crepe myrtles are a beautiful addition to any yard or garden. Planting flowers and shrubs around them will add even more color and beauty to the landscape. Additionally, the deep root systems of crepe myrtles help keep soil in place, preventing erosion from wind or water runoff.
Finally, planting under crepe myrtle trees helps protect other plants from pests and diseases. Crepe myrtles are naturally resistant to many common pests and diseases, so having them nearby can help protect nearby plants from infestations or infections. Additionally, some pests prefer to stay away from the fragrant smell of crepe myrtles, making them less likely to bother your other plants.
Overall, there are many benefits to planting under crepe myrtle trees. They provide ample shade during hot summer months, create an attractive landscape with their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms, and help protect nearby plants from pests and disease. If you’re looking for an easy way to add beauty and protection to your yard or garden, consider planting under crepe myrtle trees!
Appropriate Plants for Growing Under Crepe Myrtle Trees
Crepe myrtles are a popular flowering tree with an emphasis on showy, colorful blooms in late summer. While these trees are attractive enough to stand alone, they can also be used to create a striking backdrop for other plants that thrive in the same conditions. If you have a crepe myrtle tree in your landscape, consider adding some companion plants to maximize the beauty of your outdoor space.
Low-growing, shade tolerant perennials like ferns and hostas make great companions for crepe myrtles. These plants lend texture and color without competing with the trees’ height or overshadowing their blossoms. Ground covers like mondo grass and liriope also make good choices; they provide a neat, manicured look that adds interest without detracting from the beauty of the crepe myrtle blooms.
Shrubs that are well-suited to growing under crepe myrtle trees include boxwoods, azaleas, rhododendrons and dwarf yaupon holly. These shrubs provide structure and define garden beds while still allowing adequate light for bloom production on the crepe myrtles. Ornamental grasses can also be used as companion plants; their airy texture provides contrast to the more substantial form of the trees’ foliage.
If you have plenty of space under your crepe myrtles or want to add more color and texture to your landscape, consider planting annual flowers in combination with your perennials and shrubs. Be sure to choose varieties that will tolerate partial shade so they don’t compete with your crepe myrtles for light or water resources. Impatiens, begonias and caladiums are all excellent choices for adding summer color around a crepe myrtle tree.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Under Crepe Myrtle Trees
Preparing the soil for planting under crepe myrtle trees is a very important step in creating a healthy and attractive landscape. It is essential to ensure that the soil is properly prepared and well-drained before planting anything near crepe myrtles. The soil should be amended with organic matter such as compost or aged animal manure, which will help retain moisture and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. If the soil is too alkaline, adding sulfur can help lower the pH of the soil. Additionally, it is best to avoid heavy clay soils when planting near crepe myrtles, as they are prone to compaction and poor drainage.
Once the soil has been amended and tested for pH levels, it should be loosened to a depth of at least 12 inches using a spade or rototiller. This will allow room for root growth and encourage air circulation throughout the soil. Along with loosening, adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure will help break up any existing clay-like particles in the soil.
It is also important to consider drainage when preparing the soil for planting under crepe myrtle trees. Poor drainage can lead to root rot and can severely damage or even kill plants placed near crepe myrtles. To ensure proper drainage, raised beds can be created by layering compost on top of existing soil and then shaping it into mounds or raised beds that are 12-18 inches high. The addition of mulch around plants will also help reduce water evaporation from the soil and help maintain an even temperature in both summer and winter months.
Overall, taking time to properly prepare the soil prior to planting near crepe myrtle trees will go a long way toward promoting healthy plants with beautiful blooms year after year!
Shrubs to Plant Under Crepe Myrtles
Crepe myrtles are a great addition to any landscape, providing summertime blooms and an attractive display of colors. But if you want to make the most out of your crepe myrtle, consider planting shrubs beneath them. Shrubs planted beneath crepe myrtles can help create a layered look in your garden and provide year-round interest. Below are some great shrub choices to pair with your crepe myrtles.
The first shrub that comes to mind is American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens). This evergreen shrub is highly adaptable and can adapt to a variety of soils and light conditions. It’s low-maintenance and produces small, fragrant flowers in the springtime. It’s also deer-resistant, making it a great choice if you have deer in your area.
Another great option is Japanese holly (Ilex crenata). This evergreen shrub has small, glossy leaves that are dark green in color. It’s drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. Plus, it produces small white flowers in the springtime.
If you’re looking for a flowering shrub, try Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens). This showy vine produces fragrant yellow flowers from late winter into early spring. It’s easy to care for and tolerates long periods of drought as well as some shade.
Finally, if you’re looking for something with colorful foliage, consider one of the colorful varieties of barberry (Berberis spp.). These low-maintenance shrubs come in a variety of sizes and colors, ranging from yellow to purple to red. Their colorful foliage will add interest to your landscape all year long.
By pairing these plants with your crepe myrtles, you can create a layered look that will bring dimension and beauty to your garden all year long.
Ground Covers to Plant Under Crepe Myrtles
When it comes to ground covers to plant under crepe myrtles, there are a variety of options available. One of the most popular choices is grasses, as they provide a lush green look year-round and are relatively easy to maintain. Low-growing varieties like St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass work well and can be mowed on a regular basis for a neat, manicured look. For areas with more shade or moisture, fescue grasses are a better option.
Other popular ground covers for crepe myrtles include perennials like liriope or monkey grass, which can provide color throughout the growing season. Groundcover roses are also popular in warmer climates and can fill in bare spots while adding beautiful pink or white blooms in the summer months. For areas that get plenty of sun, sedums are an excellent choice as they have bright yellow flowers and tolerate heat well.
For those looking for more unusual options, consider planting native wildflowers such as black-eyed susans or purple coneflowers under your crepe myrtle trees. These low-maintenance plants will add color throughout the season without requiring much care or attention from the gardener. Groundcover vines such as ivy can also be used to create an interesting visual effect while providing shade and protection for the roots of your trees.
No matter which type of ground cover you choose, make sure it is suitable for your climate and soil conditions before planting it under your crepe myrtles. With proper care and maintenance, these plants can create an attractive look that will last for years to come.
Caring for Plants Growing Under Crepe Myrtles
When planting and caring for plants that are growing under crepe myrtles, it is important to keep in mind the particular needs of the plants. Crepe myrtles provide shade for plants, but they also have their own needs. Adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer are all important for keeping crepe myrtles healthy and strong. It is also important to consider the type of soil the plants will be growing in, as well as any pests or diseases that may affect them. Here are some tips for caring for plants growing under crepe myrtles:
Sunlight: Crepe myrtles need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and flowering. Plants that grow underneath should also receive plenty of sunlight, so be sure to select varieties that can tolerate a little bit of shade. Position the crepe myrtle so that the canopy casts light and not too much shade on the plants growing underneath.
Water: Crepe myrtles need regular watering during dry periods. When watering them, make sure to water deeply once a week so that their roots can reach deeper into the soil and access more moisture. Watering more frequently during hot weather can help keep the crepe myrtle healthy and strong. For plants growing underneath, water according to their specific needs – more often if they’re drought-tolerant or less often if they’re moisture-loving varieties.
Fertilizer: Fertilizing crepe myrtles in early spring helps promote healthy flowering throughout the season. A slow-release fertilizer is best since it will release its nutrients over a longer period than quick-release fertilizers, which can cause an excessive amount of growth in a short period of time. Depending on what kind of soil your plants are growing in, you may need to add some additional fertilizer to ensure its pH levels remain balanced.
Pest Control: Proper pest control is essential when caring for any plant. If you notice any insects or signs of disease on your crepe myrtle or its surrounding plants, take immediate action by treating with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide as soon as possible.
By following these tips when planting and caring for plants under your crepe myrtle tree, you can ensure that your garden remains healthy and beautiful all season long!
Common Diseases of Plants Growing Under Crepe Myrtles
Crepe myrtles are a popular ornamental shrub that can provide beauty and shade to any landscape. Unfortunately, they are also prone to a variety of diseases that can cause significant damage if not treated promptly. Common diseases of plants growing under crepe myrtles include powdery mildew, foliar blight, root rot, and bacterial leaf spot.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is characterized by white or gray patches on the leaves and stems of the crepe myrtle. This fungus thrives in moist conditions and spreads quickly. To prevent powdery mildew from becoming a problem, it is important to keep the shrub well-watered and pruned so that air can circulate freely.
Foliar blight is another common disease of plants growing under crepe myrtles. It is caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas syringae and is characterized by circular spots on the leaves. These spots will start off yellowish-green in color but will eventually turn brown or black as the infection progresses. Treatment for foliar blight typically involves pruning infected branches and applying a fungicide or antibiotic spray to the affected area.
Root rot is another common disease associated with crepe myrtle plants. It occurs when the root system of the plant becomes infected with fungi or bacteria which cause it to become weak and unhealthy. Treatment for root rot typically involves removing any affected roots with hand pruning tools and treating the remaining roots with an appropriate fungicide or antibiotic solution.
Finally, bacterial leaf spot can also be an issue for plants growing under crepe myrtles. This disease is caused by various strains of bacteria and results in small, circular spots on leaves which may eventually turn yellow or brown as the infection progresses. Treatment for bacterial leaf spot usually involves pruning away any affected leaves and treating them with an appropriate fungicide or antibiotic spray to prevent further spread of the bacteria.
Conclusion
When deciding what to plant under a crepe myrtle, it is important to consider the size of the tree and the amount of shade it will cast. It is best to choose plants that will not be affected by the shade, or that will tolerate some sun but also thrive in partial shade. Flowering perennials and annuals are great choices for adding color and texture, as they can be planted in early spring and last through the summer months. Ground covers, grasses, shrubs, and vines are also great options for planting under a crepe myrtle. With careful consideration and planning, gardeners can create a beautiful landscape beneath their crepe myrtle trees that adds beauty and color to their yards.
By taking into account all aspects of growing conditions such as sunlight, water needs, soil quality, size of plantings underneath a crepe myrtle tree, and other factors that may influence growth, gardeners are able to create vibrant landscapes beneath their trees. With proper maintenance, these landscapes can provide beauty and enjoyment for years to come.