Crepe Myrtle Miracle- regrew after it died

"neighbor used to cut back all foliage" Really interesting. Could you please provide a little more information? I just planted my first Crepe Myrtle this spring, though they thrive in this area.

In the south, where many cut back all foliage of the crepe myrtle, it's called crepe MURDER. Totally unnecessary!

In Texas, we have them everywhere and in many yards because we plant them, not because they spread. They are not invasive and not at all like nandina. If you trim the suckers at the bottom, there is no problem with spreading. Most varieties are supposed to be trees so trimming the understory to make it look like a tree is best. And yes, in the winter they lose all leaves because they are deciduous. Then they come back in the spring, usually later than others.

Rather than cut them back [crape murder], buy them in a size you need. They come from very small to 40-ft tall.

You are "officially" too far north, but the weather is getting warmer, and crape myrtles are getting tougher. Congratulations!

I live in New Jersey, too, Monmouth County (why does my photo say Stanford, CT, I've never even been there.) I have a neighbor who has a crepe myrtle and I stared at it enviously for years. My son lives in South Carolina and the entire area is beautifully crepe! So, about 2or 3 years ago I bought one, plopped it in my yard, watered and prayed. Last year it didn't look so great and since we had very heavy snow that year, I figured it died. WRONG. This year it has flourished and quadrupled in size. The owner of the garden center where I bought it told me I had to water, water, water until it was larger and established where it was planted. If it could survive a winter, basically buried under snow, I think you might be OK purchasing one. And, they are sold in garden centers all over New Jersey.

Thanks Maureen, perhaps they have them all over southern New Jersey, but they don't have any in Sussex county where I live. If you know where I could buy a new one, please let me know. I don't even know what color mine is going to be.

thanks, phillyb

I fell in love with the Crepe Myrtle while visiting my parents in Maryland. I lived in NW Philadelphia and decided to plant one in my front yard. I've since moved to NE Philly, but see that my tree is still flourishing! The one I planted at our 'new' house is over 9 feet tall and is in bloom right now! I think that you could grow one up here! Try the internet for buying info.

Thank you queen!

We lived in the Philadelphia, PA area. When my Dad visited his brother in AL he brought a small crepe myrtle from my uncle's house with him on the plane. My Mom wrapped the roots in an old wet towel to keep the roots from drying out. That was back in 1960. The bush is enormous and still thriving back in PA. I've long since moved to VA and have crepe myrtles of my own. They always remind me of my wonderful parents.

PS - I think the smooth bark is especially beautiful.

They need lots of sun, and I water them because where I live it doesn't rain very often. Other than that, they're easy. Mine have tons of blooms every year since planted.

Don't trim them. the main stem will get knots on it. Just trim the tiniest of branches if you have to. We fertilize along with the yard since ours are all in the yard. Sometimes if mine get mildew I will sprinkle corn meal around the base and the mildew goes away. Look up Neil Sperry on Facebook.....he is a Texas gardener and he has several articles about Crepe Myrtles on his Facebook page.