The term “crape murder” describes the practice of drastically cutting back a crape myrtle, often removing large limbs or even ...

By Amy-Lynn Albertson N.C. Cooperative Extension Picture this: a once-graceful crape myrtle, reduced to sad, bare stumps each winter — a practice known as “crape murder.” Many believe this drastic […] ...

I usually wait until mid-January to write something on this topic but this week I saw my first severe pruning of a crape myrtle for this dormant season earlier this month. So, instead of visions of ...

Find out when to prune crape myrtles to get the most flowers. Prune crape myrtles in late winter to encourage strong new growth and flower production. Avoid pruning in spring, summer, or fall to ...

Prune crape myrtles in late winter to encourage strong new growth and flower production. Avoid pruning in spring, summer, or fall to prevent cutting off new flowers and stressing the tree. Never top ...

Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests. For better blooms, give them sun, compost-rich soil, steady water, and prune only after flowering.

Question: Crape myrtles are both heavily pruned and not pruned in our neighborhood. What is correct? Answer: Most horticulturists do not prune their crape myrtles or do what is called pencil pruning.

Don't let old growth see another spring.

Somehow, the belief that crape myrtles should be brutally pruned by cutting off their tops persists, even though it's inaccurate. Crape murder is a term that has been coined to describe this severe ...