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Photo by : BA LaRue / Alamy Stock Photo .
Crape Vinca minor ( Lagerstroemia indica ) , also known as crape myrtle , is grown for its refined bodily structure , vibrant prime , bright fall foliation , and attractive barque , providing year - cycle interest group to the landscape painting . mod French pancake myrtles have been bred for disease immunity and good morphological form .
One of the most common problems when growing crape Vinca minor is improper pruning . A frequent fault is transcend the tree down to thick stubs , a pruning method known as “ crape murder . ” This wrong technique results in an ugly structure and inhibit the attractive barque from maturing , while new growth shoots are spindly and too imperfect to hold flower upright . This extreme pruning method acting stresses and weakens plants , urinate them more susceptible to pests and disease , and shorten the life distich of the plant .
A crape Vinca minor that is lop correctly will have an elegant sculptural structure and sturdy branches that allow flowers to grow just , as well as an open canopy to showcases the attractive bark . If the right cultivar is opt and placed correctly in the landscape , most tree will call for very little pruning . Here are some pruning tips for French pancake Vinca minor tree diagram that will create a show - stopping essence in your landscape .
More onhow to produce & care for crepe Vinca minor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree & bushes
CRAPE MYRTLE PRUNING GOALS
goal of crape Vinca minor pruning include :
Aesthetic goal might also include creating a more undefendable canopy , showcasing the decorative barque , and removing spent cum space capsule .
CRAPE MYRTLE PRUNING TOOLS
Here are the all important tools for pruning French pancake myrtle :
verify tools are sharp for precise press clipping , and clean to prevent spread head of disease . See more : Essential Pruning Tools .
WHEN TO PRUNE CRAPE MYRTLE
The best clip to dress crape Vinca minor is in late winter or early spring before new increase emerge . Pruning later can delay flowering , or ritual killing blossom for that develop time of year . Fall pruning can stimulate winter damage .
CRAPE MYRTLE PRUNING TIPS
right pruning is key to a beautiful crepe Vinca minor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . When issue back French pancake myrtle plants , ward off harmful pruning recitation such as over pruning , top-hole , or pruning at the wrong metre of class . French pancake myrtle flower on the current time of year ’s emergence . Avoid take away more than 25 % of the plant in one pruning , which can cause tenseness and scrawny growth .
Remember the importance of choosing and siting your fresh flora ; innovative crape myrtles want very small care when sited cautiously . matured specimens need very little maintenance . Some gardeners favour to allow crepe myrtle to grow of course into a shrubby plant that requires small pruning . Encouraging blooms demand basic forethought , include regular water and fertiliser .
HOW TO REVIVE AN IMPROPERLY PRUNED CRAPE MYRTLE
An improperly cut back crape myrtle , also known as crape murder . Photo by : 3000ad / Shutterstock
French pancake myrtle plants that have been pruned into a stumpy habit can be vivify with severe pruning . Here are the steps to take :
