You love the look of thriving crepe myrtles gracing property borders with their vibrant flowers during late summer or early autumn. But you aren’t sure how to fertilize crepe myrtle trees to achieve maximum health and coloration. The Heart of Wood, a reputable expert in tree services in McLean, VA, is here to explain this landscaping staple’s needs to help you out. 

First, a Crash Course on Crepe Myrtle Species

Lagerstroemia, more commonly known as crepe myrtle, consists of 50 flowering, shrubby trees. They earn their common name from the crepey petals put forth by the flowers. 

The delicate petals come in myriad vibrant shades and resemble crumpled tissue. If you plant these trees on your property, you’re in for a gorgeous show! You can turn it up by 11 with a properly formulated and distributed fertilizer. 

How To Fertilize Crepe Myrtle Trees

The best time to fertilize crepe myrtles is just before the growing season begins in early spring. Most plants awaken from their winter dormancy, developing fresh twigs and leaves. Well-timed fertilization will fuel your crepe myrtles’ development and yield bright blossoms by summer’s end. 

Get a Soil Analysis

First, you need to know what the soil lacks before learning how to fertilize crepe myrtle trees. Otherwise, you could apply too many or too few of a particular nutrient. Request a soil testing service from a tree service provider in McLean, Virginia, to get an accurate profile of:

• Available nitrogen levels
• Decaying organic matter
• Phosphorus levels
• Potassium availability
• Soil acidity

This information will determine the type of fertilizer that will fully nourish your crepe myrtles. 

Choose a Fertilizer Based on Soil Composition

Once you have the soil analysis results, you and your arborist can select the best fertilizer. The ideal formula will balance the soil’s nutrient density, replenishing low-level minerals without adding readily available supplies. A slow-release fertilizer will gradually dissolve into the dirt over time, preventing the formula from oversaturating the ground at once. 

Fertilize According to Age and Establishment

Your arborist will also determine how much and how often to fertilize your crepe myrtles based on how recently you planted them and their ages. Younger specimens are hungry for resources but can have delicate root systems, and they need less intensive formulas applied more frequently. 

For older, more established trees, you can plan your fertilizer timing for once in the spring. Their roots are more mature and able to handle fresh nutrients. Your arborist will point out the root zone application, so you know where to spread the formula. 

Just like any other tree or shrub, you should ensure your crepe myrtles stay hydrated, especially when temperatures rise. Water breaks down the minerals and organic matter into a more digestible form for the trees to absorb. 

The Heart of Wood Helps With Crepe Myrtle Care in McLean, Virginia

Not only does The Heart of Wood know how to fertilize crepe myrtle trees, but we specialize in general crepe myrtle care. Call 571-482-0996 to discuss a care plan for your specimens in McLean, Virginia. Read our tips for maintaining healthy crepe myrtles in the meantime.