hi I am in BC Zone 8 looking for a long flowering crape mrytle that isn't too tall or too wide, say 15ft high by about 8 ft maximum wide. Can these be pruned easily without looking weathered and I would like a single trunk with no foilage for the first 3 ft. are they easy to prune as you wish? Thanks.
Usually here it takes most of the summer for these to get enough heat to start blooming. Plant in the hottest possible location for best results. South side of a building with an asphalt parking lot in front is about right. If you want a lollipop shape you will have to buy one trained to a single stem or buy a small one and train it the way you want yourself.
Thanks Rob. I have an aggregate driveway on the south side of the property. It gets sun from dawn to dusk and there is no relief and I thought I would put one of these myrtles in there because I need something that truly loves and needs FULL sun all day. Sounds like they will only bloom after so many days of bright sun?I was hoping the myrtle would be a lollipop shape and shade some of the perreniels (which are supposed to love full sun but tend to scortch) to the east of the myrtle so that after noon, the perenniels would have some afternoon shadow. Sounds like the myrtle can be shaped then? I love brightly coloured plants and trees and was looking on the Internet for something and was introduced to these crape (crepe?) myrtles and they look fabulous. But I want it to look tidy and not like a lilac bush. I will see what I can find at the local garden centres here in Abbotsford, but if you or anyone know of another garden centre that carries these myrtles (I'd like a red or pink long bloomer, no more than 15 ft grower as I have my neighbour to consider and my view of Mt. Baker to protect). If you have any suggestions for a type, please let me know. Ta. Steph.
Hi Steph--being in the more "continental" climate of Abbotsford, you could have a better shot than many of us closer to the ocean. The one big lagerstroemia I have seen here is right in White Rock, and the gorgeous bark looked like reason enough to grow it...but it only produced flower buds by the first frost in that location, no flowers. I recall these at Cedar Rim nursery, Langley, from time to time, but not a commonly stocked item thanks I assume to the general unsuitability to our climate.
You're smart to think about mature size before planting. http://www.clemson.edu/crepemyrtle/# I assume mildew would be a problem in summer-dry BC as it is in Portland.
