With clusters of colourful flowers and easy bark, crape myrtles could make a wonderful addition to warm-weather gardens. Nevertheless, these vegetation require numerous mild to thrive. On this information, I’ll share my expertise about how a lot daylight crape myrtles want for optimum development in your backyard.
About Crape Myrtles
Crape myrtles, generally often known as crepe myrtles, are a bunch of about 50 species of vegetation that belong to the Lagerstroemia genus. They’re identified for shiny flower clusters that bloom through the hotter months.
Crape myrtles are native to areas in Australia, Southeast Asia, and islands within the Indian Ocean. Nevertheless, individuals now develop them in lots of heat areas worldwide.
Since there are such a lot of completely different species and kinds of crape myrtles, you’ll find all kinds of traits inside this genus. Crops can vary from one to 50+ ft tall and produce crimson, white, pink, and purple flowers.
Together with their seen variations, crape myrtle varieties additionally differ concerning chilly tolerance, mild necessities, and illness resistance.
How A lot Daylight Do Crape Myrtles Want?
Crape myrtles are light-loving vegetation. They require not less than six hours of each day mild, however they admire extra like eight or ten hours of sunshine.
Whereas some vegetation desire oblique or dappled mild, crape myrtles like direct mild, due to this fact, it’s best to plant them in an space the place they obtain numerous unfiltered mild.
What Occurs if Crape Myrtles Don’t Obtain Sufficient Gentle?
Quite a few indicators could point out that crape myrtles will not be receiving sufficient daylight. In the event you discover any of the next, your plant may have extra mild.
Stunted Progress
Crape myrtles, like all vegetation, full a course of often known as photosynthesis.
On this course of, they soak up power from the solar and use it to transform water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates, oxygen, and water. They then use these carbohydrates to gasoline varied plant processes.
If crape myrtles don’t obtain sufficient mild, they can’t get hold of the power they want. Subsequently, they might change into weak and stunted.
An absence of vigor or stunted development are indicators that your crape myrtle is probably not receiving sufficient daylight.
Lack of Flowers
Since many individuals plant crape myrtles for his or her attractive flowers, it may be disappointing when these vegetation fail to flower. Many components can result in a scarcity of flowers, however too little is without doubt one of the main causes.
Flowering is an energy-intensive course of. Subsequently, if crape myrtles don’t obtain sufficient photo voltaic power, they might fail to flower.
Small Leaves
As talked about above, daylight is the pressure that drives photosynthesis. Subsequently, if vegetation don’t obtain sufficient daylight, they’ll lack the power they should full important processes.
When this occurs, they’ll intention to preserve power. A method crape myrtles do that is by producing smaller leaves.
In the event you discover new leaves seem small, it might be an indication that your crape myrtle wants extra mild.
Can Crape Myrtles Tolerate Shade?
As talked about above, crape myrtles want not less than six hours of each day daylight to stay wholesome. That mentioned, these vegetation can tolerate a little bit of shade.
Partial shade is usually acceptable for many crape myrtles. Nevertheless, half a day of solar and half a day of shade is best than a full day of dappled mild.
It’s additionally essential to notice that some kinds of crape myrtles are extra shade tolerant than others.
Shade-Tolerant Alternate options to Crape Myrtles
If you’re in search of a flowering shrub or small tree for a shady space, you’ll be able to think about options to crape myrtles. The next vegetation can tolerate partial or full shade.
- Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): grows about six ft tall whereas producing foliage that resembles oak leaves and clusters of white flowers.
- Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia): a big shrub with evergreen leaves and white flowers that bloom through the summer season.
- Jap Redbud (Cercis canadensis): a small tree that grows between 10–20 ft tall and produces shiny pink flowers within the spring.
Crape Myrtles and Daylight FAQs:
Can Crape Myrtles Tolerate Shade?
Crape myrtles can tolerate partial shade in the event that they obtain not less than six hours of sunshine each day. Nevertheless, they won’t thrive in full shade.
How A lot Solar Do Crape Myrtles Want?
Crape myrtles want not less than six hours of each day solar to stay wholesome. Nevertheless, they like the complete solar.
Crape myrtles are small timber or shrubs which are identified for his or her showy, colourful flowers and engaging bark. They’re generally grown in heat, sunny climates and are sometimes used for landscaping and backyard design.
What occurs if crape myrtles don’t get sufficient daylight?
If crape myrtles don’t get sufficient daylight, they might not bloom as effectively or could have stunted development. They could even be extra vulnerable to pests and illnesses.
Can crape myrtles be grown in containers?
Sure, crape myrtles will be grown in containers, however in my expertise, they require extra frequent watering and will not develop as giant as these planted within the floor. It’s important to decide on a big container to accommodate the tree’s root system.
What’s one of the best time of 12 months to plant crape myrtles?
The very best time to plant crape myrtles is within the late winter or early spring earlier than new development begins. This enables the tree to ascertain its root system earlier than the new summer season months. Nevertheless, they will also be planted within the fall if crucial.
How do I look after my crape myrtle tree?
Crape myrtles require common watering, fertilization, and pruning to remain wholesome. It’s essential to prune them within the winter to advertise new development and take away any broken or diseased branches. Moreover, they might profit from a balanced fertilizer utilized within the spring and summer season.
Wrapping Up
If you wish to develop a wholesome crape myrtle, be sure that you present it with not less than six hours of each day mild. Contemplate various vegetation if in case you have an space with full shade.
For extra, see our in-depth guides to crape myrle deer resistance and whether or not crape myrtles are poisonous to people and animals.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State College. She manages a small market backyard the place she grows greens and herbs. She additionally enjoys rising flowers and houseplants at dwelling.
