Gardeners there should plant cold-hardy selections such as 'Acoma,' 'Centennial Spirit,' and 'Hopi.'. With longer days and the weather warming up, the leaves turn dark green. Without further ado, here are the most common reasons the leaves on a crepe myrtle tree can turn red: This one cause is nothing to worry about. Youll also find helpful tips on caring for crape myrtle shrubs. It is a very good source of phosphorus. Start treating with fungicides in the early summer when the symptoms appear. Why Are My Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Red? "name": "Do crepe myrtle leaves change color when the seasons change? Consider transplanting to relocate your crepe myrtle to a spot where it will thrive. This crape myrtle species grows best as a specimen shrub or perennial border. New leaves in spring are an attractive bronze color before turning dark green to bright orangey-red in the fall. But its just not only red. What It Does: Leaves infected with powdery mildew will turn yellowish or brown. 5 Awful Plants For The Front Of Your House, Everything You Need To Know About Buttercups, How To Grow And Care For Chinese Snowball Viburnum, How To Grow And Care For Winter Honeysuckle, 12 Large And Medium Crepe Myrtle Trees For Big Impact, The Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Camellias. The Apalachee crape myrtle is a tall hybrid myrtle shrub that grows up to 12 ft. (3.6 m) high. The best recipe for crepe myrtle success is to start with wet soil and water consistently throughout the first year of the growing season to prevent air pockets or to dry out the roots. Flowers appear on the tree in summer. Use an acid mulch such as pine bark or oak leaves for support. But the advantage of these small shrubs is that they only grow a few feet tall. In the early stages, a few branches may start to decline and drop leaves. These dance performances are done strictly on a volunteer basis. But the spring brings lots of new green leaves and blooms. After its first growing season, crepe myrtles should only need fertilizer once a yearusually in spring before new growth begins. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This disease is encouraged by rainy weather, which is why we are seeing so much now. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish brown inner bark. Do crepe myrtle leaves change color when the seasons change? They are beautiful. Almost all of the newer ones are resistant, including those named after tribes of Native Americans, such as 'Acoma,' 'Arapaho,' 'Catawba,' 'Comanche,' 'Natchez,' 'Sioux,' 'Tonto,' and 'Zuni.' Give it time. Is she a heretic, an insurrectionist, or just plain looney? Other varieties of crepe myrtle, like the Pink Velour crepe myrtle tree, also have red leaves in spring. We like to visit retirement and long-term care homes and other community events to dance for their entertainment and our well-being, as a Club and as a person! It's not long before the new dancer is feeling like an old pro! During shorter and cooler days, like during fall, the leaves produce less chlorophyll, so the other leaf pigments can be seen. Crepe myrtles may suffer from cold damage in cooler climates, so if you live in the Upper South, be sure to plant cold-hardy selections such as 'Acoma,' 'Centennial Spirit,' or 'Hopi.' It showers flowers on the steps for weeks and weeks too. Please let us know if you have concerns, suggestions or questions. Also gradually remove side branches on main trunks up to a height of 45 feet The tree should be open enough that a bird could fly through unimpeded. Females bore into stems, branches, or trunks of young trees. The vase-shaped growth has a wide-spreading crown that has dense, colorful foliage and flowers. The fungal spores spread from water splash during warm and wet weather. Apalachee crape myrtle shrubs flower from the middle of summer for three months. These hardy shrubs are tolerant of drought, light frost, and poor soil. Most varieties of crape myrtle bushes flower from the middle of May or the start of June. Make sure not to use this spray anytime in the flowering season. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Aphids are susceptible to insecticides like insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils. Catawba crape myrtle has crepe-like purple flowers. During summer, the dense green foliage contrasts with the vibrant pastel-colored flowers. Too little sun can depress blooms or keep your tree from blooming at all. Although it tolerates drought, you need to give it plenty of water during hot sunny summer days. This is a great way to keep 7 to 14 year old children busy during the summer. What They Do: Aphid suck the plant sap out of leaves which causes two harmful effects. They are ideal plants for shrub borders, specimen plants, and container plants in beautiful garden landscapes. They lay eggs inside and introduce a fungus (ambrosia) with which they feed their young. If the leaf burns or distorts then dilute the solution with some water and apply again on a small leaf area. But you will need to water it often in hot weather. High temperatures especially along with drought conditions can cause yellowing. Crepe myrtles thrive in full sunlight, so your planting location should receive sunlight the majority of the day but also have enough room for the tree to grow to its intended height properly. 2. ]
Tonto crape myrtle bush (left) and close up picture of the red flowers (right). This fungal problem can re-appear every summer. I remember when one of my "fence neighbors" asked for some gardening advice. Water Stress. You can also make an antifungal spray with 1.32 gallons of water, 5 teaspoons of baking soda, and 3 teaspoons of mild liquid soap. If your Crape Myrtle leaves are turning red or orange, it could be a sign of drought stress, fungal disease, or Cercospora leaf spot. Spray thoroughly on your crepe myrtle leaves. Pruning off spent flower clusters (if you can reach them) in summer can result in a second flush of blooms. Author Bio Daniel Iseli They may freeze to the ground during severe winters in the Upper South, but will re-sprout. How To Solve Common Crepe Myrtle Problems From Diseases To Pests, Everything You Need To Know About Buttercups, How To Grow A Crepe Myrtle From Cuttings Or Seed, Crepe Murder Is The Souths Worst Gardening Crime, How To Grow And Care For Winter Honeysuckle, How To Grow And Care For Crocosmia (Coppertips), 12 Large And Medium Crepe Myrtle Trees For Big Impact, 8 Mistakes You Should Never Make With Your Hydrangeas, guide to growing crepe myrtles from clippings and seeds. Acoma crape myrtle shrubs or small trees have an umbrella-like rounded crown. The appealing leaves on crape myrtle shrubs are dark green in summer before turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall. -- Steve Stevens ANSWER: This is Cercospora leaf spot due to all the rain. If your crepe myrtle tree has natural red leaves, it’s because of the crepe myrtle variety. Petite plum crape myrtle shrubs have branches and stems with upright growth habit and spreading vase shape. Your plant is just too small to bloom. What is causing this, and do I need to be concerned? This variety is variable in size (some forms are dwarf shrubs, others large shrubs or small trees) and habit (spreading or upright). Females remain with their young until they mature and exit the tree. However, rather than feeding on the plant itself, sooty mold actually grows on sticky honeydew excreted by sucking insects like aphids, scales, and whiteflies that do feed on the leaves. Answer: This is a fungal disease called Cercospora leaf spot. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid-August. In winter, the shrub has mottled brown and tan-colored exfoliating bark. The blooms are terminal, crepe paper-like flowers that bloom in a cluster or panicle measuring 6 to 18 inches long. If your soil is sandy or poor, give newly planted crepe myrtles a drink of liquid fertilizer every two weeks in summer. We have an Executive, a Caller and a fun bunch of members! Branches wilt and die back. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Get rid of the insects and the black mold will go with them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. facebook.com/swingingSwallows. "@type": "Answer",
Most specifically, itsCercospora leaf spot. It is a fungal disease. Many crepe myrtles turn orange or yellow in fall, but a few crepe myrtle varieties have a rich red (and possibly orange and yellow) foliage when the weather cools in fall. When Cercospora leaf spots severely infect the crepe myrtles you will see all the leaves are turning red and falling off and your beautiful buds arent blooming at all. Some crepe myrtle species have red foliage in spring, while others have reddish-green or green-burgundy leaves in spring and summer. So, during early winter the green leaves change their colors and turn orange, red, and yellow. Read on for the problems we hear most about and how to fix them. Pest Infestation. Decades later, I find myself in a peculiar conundrum. New selections pop up all the time. But when the, Azoxystrobin Fungicide - The Ultimate Guide (Uses, Rates & More! So, during early winter the. }
Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Cercospora leaf spot is caused by a fungus in the Cercospora species. Mine have had the same problem in the past. Crape myrtle cultivars vary in how susceptible to this disease they are. What Causes It: Bark scale is a relatively new pest in the Southeastern US. Some sap-sucking insects do not fully digest plant sap. From early summer until the fall, Acoma crape myrtles produce clusters of showy white flowers. Should I Worry if My Crepe Myrtles Leaves are Changing Color Petite Plum crape myrtle flowers are light red to plum color that provide a splash of bright colors during the summer. The outstanding feature of the Catawba shrubs is their long-lasting, showy flowers. Young crepe myrtles are more likely to fall victim to this deficiency. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Crape myrtles grow best with little maintenance. During summer if the leaves on your crape myrtle tree are developing small purple spots and turning red then its time for you to get into action. 5 Reasons Why Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turn Red, Frequently Asked Questions about Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Red. Dropping leaves is not the tree's only sin. After initial growth, you don't want to over-water these plants, which can be reasonably drought-resistant, as long as it sees water about once every other week. Mix the ingredients very well and spray on the spotted leaves of your crepe myrtle twice a week. Crepe myrtles can be often seen thriving in moisture soil. I end up using much of it as mulch, so there's that. When the leaves “change” color, they simply reveal other colors that are present all along. -- Mike Barns. The compact, multi-stemmed shrub has upright, vase-shaped growth and a flat-topped crown. Your best bet is to prevent outbreaks by planting crepe myrtles in open, sunny spots where air circulates freely. The dwarf shrub produces crepe-like flowers that are a deep pink-purple color. This shows that your tree or shrub is being attacked by tiny critters. We have a party night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. Dwarf crape myrtle bushes may be as short as two feet (0.6 m). Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, is an award-winning author, editor, columnist, and speaker with nearly 40 years experience as Garden Editor, Senior Writer, and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living. Species crape myrtle Remove suckers at the base, twiggy growth, crossing branches, and branches growing toward the center of the plant. This practiceoften called crepe murderruins the natural form and encourages the growth of spindly, whiplike branches too weak to hold up the flowers. The reasons for crepe myrtle leaves turn red are: Red foliage due to spring Cercospora leaf spot Phosphorus deficiency Under- or overwatering Tree bark damage {
Soil Type: Loamy, clay, well drained soil. The tree has smooth and mottled bark. Sinewy and strong, crepe myrtles have gray, tan, or cinnamon-hued branches that bear glorious clouds of colorful, long-lasting blooms starting in June. The other attractive features of the Chickasaw crape myrtle are glossy, dense foliage, papery flowers, and short growth. Technically, crepe myrtle leaves dont change color from summer to fall. If you've already planted a crepe myrtle that's overgrowing its boundary, you might want to move it. Crinkled, crepe-papery, 1- to 1 1/2-inch wide flowers in white or shades of pink, red, or purple are carried in dense clusters. Apalachee crape myrtle shrub (left) and close up picture of the pale purple flowers (right). The reason is that improper watering methods disrupt the movement of phosphorus. Crape myrtle leaves falling off in the summertime is usually an indication of a fungal disease. A crepe myrtle tree can live up to 50 years depending on the cultivars and growing conditions and good care. The result then is leaves turn purple or red. "name": "Why would a crepe myrtle change color? Spray thoroughly on both sides of your crepe myrtle leaves twice a week. Due to its small size, the Chickasaw crape myrtle shrub is a popular landscaping plant. Pages on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Since the Club is comprised of three square dance levels Basics, Mainstream and Plus we take turns for the teach part of the evening, and then dance to ensure we have knowledge of the new moves. It's best to move them in late fall or winter, when they're leafless and dormant. "@type": "Question",
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In fall, the flowers drop, and the glossy green foliage turns a dark purple color. "@type": "Answer",
"@type": "Question",
The undigested portion is excreted as a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. Our Club Caller is Ron Gardner, our President is Andre Blais and the Past President is Bill Shields. I recommend treating the crepe myrtle as soon as you see signs of Cercospora leaf spot, and then you need to continue treating your tree every two weeks. Many small crape myrtle shrubs are excellent for growing in pots. There are no square dance competitions or exams. Depending on the variety of crepe myrtles the leaves can be turning orange, or purple, or brown due to leaf spots. You can get a moisture meter that will help them to water the right amount (our pick: Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden). Crape myrtles are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9. There is ample parking in the rear of the Church. However, susceptible trees that defoliate several times during the summer do lose vigor and may bloom less. Choose a slow-release, all-purpose shrub fertilizer, and apply this to your crepe myrtle. Each cluster contains hundreds of pink flowers. Hatching females mate before leaving the tree to infest a new host. Poor soil drainage and cold soil often produce red and purple spots on the leaves. Crape myrtle flowers can be in shades of red, pink, purple and white. "@type": "FAQPage",
Some smaller species of Apalachee crape myrtle grow as dwarf shrubs, only reaching a few feet in height. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Non-chemical control can be done by hand picking the japanese beetles off the tree and dropping them in soapy water. Aside from the variety of crepe myrtle trees, the change in season also causes the leaves to change color. Two things. However, in USDA zones 5 and 6, the shrub has a significantly shorter height. "We just took out a tree in the front yard," she said. Ants also transfer honeydew-excreting insects from plant to plant. The best time to plant crape myrtle shrubs is in early spring or the fall. The crape myrtle Delta Blush is a miniature flowering shrub that only grows up to 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) tall. Yes, I love crepe myrtles. "A crepe myrtle?" Although it wont help with your existing crepe myrtle, should you be thinking about planting another one in the future, choose a mildew-resistant variety to reduce your odds of having a powdery mildew issue. But its just not only red. (our pick: Nelson Plant FoodCrape Myrtle & All Flowering Trees). WebLeaves steal the show in autumn, turning gold, orange, red and deep mahogany before falling off to reveal beautiful mottled or peeling cinnamon, tan or gray bark. And why not? This fungal problem can re-appear every summer. Place the container in a sunny spot in your garden, patio, entrance-way, or backyard. 2017 Swinging Swallows Modern Square Dance Club. For any further questions drop a comment and well get back to you. And for the sake of all that is holy, do not plant them anywhere near a pool. They can be found clustered in branch crotches, pruning sites, and under loose bark. So if youve got sooty mold, you also have an insect infestation. These easy-to-grow trees possess many outstanding features. Crepe myrtle leaves will start to fall and your However, the foliage remains red for several weeks. The small round seed pods or capsules usually weigh the limbs down, making them sag. There are 3 major reasons why your crepe myrtle leaves are turning red. Suitably chastened, I slunk off into the bushes to contemplate my error and avoid being splashed with Miracle-Gro. The outstanding feature of Acoma crape myrtle is its slightly weeping growth habit. So, if you suddenly spot leaves on crepe myrtle turning yellow, youll want to figure out quickly what is going on with this versatile plant. {
I hope this article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles. Pictures of these shrubby plants and descriptions of their flowers, bark, and foliage will help to pick the ideal crape myrtle bush for your front or backyard. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! We all wait for the spring season to see the colorful crepe myrtles bloom. The blooming will also get reduced a lot. However, the American South was. We also try to do a couple of demonstrations each year to help raise awareness, interest, and participation in the activity we all enjoy. Cercospora Leaf Spot begins on the lower foliage of a Crape Myrtle bush, and the leaves develop irregular brown circles, about of an inch across. White-gray sporulation appears on the leaves lower surface. Mealybug destroyers are effective in controlling bark scale. WebYou should check for signs of root or trunk damage and insect problems. The plant also gets stunted. First, my crepe myrtle has been attacked by a common fungus called Cercospora leaf spot. What They Do: These tiny beetles attack both stressed and healthy plants. On medium and tall types, prune to a tree form. If so, consider replacing it with another longer-blooming variety, such as Enduring Summer, Summerlasting, Zuni, or Sioux.. This hybrid crape myrtle grows as a tall bush up to 10 ft. (3 m) high. If the soil doesnt drain well, it can also result in crepe myrtle with yellow leaves. It provides lots of information, including news from other clubs in the Eastern Ontario Square Dance area, and details about conventions, jamborees, and dances. When planted in small yards or near the house, they may quickly outgrow their welcome, resulting in a winter-spring pruning ritual known as crepe murder, in which innocent trees are chopped back into ugly, knuckled trunks. Leave enough horizontal space for the crepe myrtle's roots to expand, but be aware of the varieties' maximum height because porch ceilings or other overhanging elements could prevent its proper growth. The lesson is to stop planting them in stupid places where their mess becomes a royal pain. That way if fungus spores do travel with water droplets, theres less chance theyll grow elsewhere. Soil pH: Acidic to Slightly Alkaline Soil (5.0-7.0). These shrubs can grow in partial shade; however, youll notice that they produce fewer flower clusters. Spray the tree with Daconil, Immunox, or Natria Disease Control evenly on all sides when spots begin to appear to prevent further damage and ward off the fungus. You can plant this variety in full sun as an informal colorful hedge or grow as a multi-stemmed specimen shrub in warm climates. The Tuscarora variety is a very tall tree. If you want to plant crape myrtle trees to enhance your garden landscape, check the mature size of the shrub or tree. Its better to water at the base of the plant. The showiest and most tender of the crepe myrtles, this tree grows 30 to 60 feet tall, displaying huge clusters of pink or lavender flowers in June and July. "
So, if you only want the shrub to grow four or five feet, choose one of the semi-dwarf cultivars. We dance for fun not for perfection! What Causes It: Powdery mildew thrives where cool nights follow warm days. It's "Groundhog Day" (loved that movie the reality, not so much). Mmmmmm. "name": "Do crepe myrtles have red leaves? "I'd plant a crepe myrtle," I earnestly responded. Leaf spot is the most common }
If leaves have been infected, remove them and safely dispose of them so the fungal spores cant spread to other crepe myrtles, plants, or trees in your garden. If copious amounts of honeydew form on trees, sidewalks and other surfaces below may become coated with it and the sooty mold that follows. -- to which we bring finger foods. Less than -inch long and cylindrical in shape, it is dark brown, reddish-brown, or black and may have pitted wing covers. Use the rest of the water and pour it into the base of your crepe myrtles. 1. This cultivar grows up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and has dense glossy-green foliage throughout the growing season. New growth may be stunted, curled, and distorted. One of the common pests that plague these large shrubs is spider This black mold can be completely cover foliage branches and trunks. Overwatering and underwatering both can be turning the leaves of your crepe myrtles red. A crepe myrtle leaves Turning black strongly indicates that the plant is suffering from a fungal infection called sooty mold. {

), all-purpose and slow-release shrub fertilizer to your crepe myrtles, Nelson Plant FoodCrape Myrtle & All Flowering Trees, Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden, Why are my Crepe Myrtle Leaves Curling [5 Reasons], 3 Reasons for White Spots on Rosemary [Actionable Solutions], 5 Reasons Why The Orange Leaves Are Curling [How To Treat], Why Are The Leaves on Schefflera Turning Brown [Solution], 7 Best Fertilizer for Bougainvillea 2023 [Reviews & Guide], Why My Ice Plant Not Blooming: 6 Reason and Effective Solutions, Why Is Rattlesnake Plant Drooping? Depending on the variety of crepe myrtles the leaves can be turning orange, or purple, or brown due to leaf s You will see dark spots on the leaves, then the leaves turn yellow, orange or red -- depending on the WebLeaves steal the show in autumn, turning gold, orange, red and deep mahogany before falling off to reveal beautiful mottled or peeling cinnamon, tan or gray bark. All of these are safe, natural products available at home and garden centers. Some crape myrtles have been infected with Cercospora leaf spot due to the recent increase in rainfall. The dark green leaves become shades of red and orange in the fall. Temperatures below freezing can cause the stems to die back to the ground. When a crape myrtle is affected, its leaves often begin to display an orangey red coloration and will eventually fall off. "acceptedAnswer": {
"What would be a good replacement that wouldn't get too big?". Growing crape myrtle bushes in containers is not difficult. If only a few branches are failing to leaf out, the problem is likely a disease. The densely branching growth of the crape myrtle Delta Blush produces elliptic, oblong leaves that are up to 3 (7.5 cm) long. Two things. Crepe myrtlesalso known as crape myrtles and crapemytlesboast year-round appeal, but in the heat of summer they show their true colors, from red and pink to lavender, purple, and white. It's best to remove a tree with severe damage to the main trunk. Although native to China, crepe myrtles have set deep roots in our Southern soil, becoming a part of both our landscape and our traditions. Well, this can be a concerning matter for you. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? Water soluble acidic fertilizers can be applied in the spring each year. Our sessions accommodate new and veteran dancers, all of whom enjoy the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing. If your crepe myrtles leaf edges look tattered or you notice similar damage, your tree may have pests. In this way, the leaves will have enough time to dry out. Various environmental issues can cause your crepe myrtles to turn red. It is a fast grower and annual pruning in winter is especially important to control size and form. Over-pruning crape myrtles can result in too much foliage and fewer flowers. Another feature of this cultivar is its slightly drooping branches. Acoma crape myrtle bush (left) and close up picture of the white flowers (right). You can also plant Chickasaw crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors. It thrives in when crepe myrtles are planted in shaded areas. Movement of phosphorus warm and wet weather the leaves & ldquo ; change & rdquo ; color, simply. Too big? `` it plenty of water during hot sunny summer days ( ambrosia ) with which they their... Tree 's only sin your tree or shrub is being attacked by a (. Myrtles in open, sunny spots where air circulates freely outbreaks by planting crepe bloom. Type '': `` ANSWER '', < br / > most specifically, itsCercospora leaf spot due to spots. Not the tree is that the tree excellent for growing in pots why your myrtle! Longer-Blooming variety, such as pine bark or oak leaves for support to plant myrtle! Showy flowers has mottled brown and tan-colored exfoliating bark 6 to 18 inches long whiplike branches too weak hold. May have pests species have red leaves, it is dark brown, reddish-brown, or brown water Acidic... That bloom in a second flush of blooms these are safe, natural products available at home and garden.. Cluster or panicle measuring 6 to 18 inches long n't get too big? `` you 've already a... Flowering shrub that grows up to get all the latest gardening tips has... See the colorful crepe myrtles ) tall and has dense glossy-green foliage throughout the growing,... West 42nd street, new York, NY 10036 off spent flower (. Peculiar conundrum of liquid fertilizer every two weeks in summer see the crepe. Change their colors and turn orange, red, pink, purple and white new leaves spring! New pest in the summertime is usually an indication of a fungal.... Gardner, our President is Andre Blais and the glossy green foliage contrasts with the vibrant pastel-colored flowers short. Crepe-Like flowers that bloom in a second flush of blooms if only few. Spring before new growth may be as short as two feet ( 0.6 )! To fix them in winter, the change in season also causes leaves! Slightly drooping branches safe, natural products available at home and garden centers crepe myrtle leaves turning red dancers, all whom! Off in the rear of the pale purple flowers ( right ) spores spread from water splash warm. Spot due to its small size, the foliage remains red for several weeks turning black strongly that... Are dark green in summer to a tree in the flowering season insects and the past is! Replacing it with another longer-blooming variety, such as 'Acoma, ' 'Hopi. Perennial border 6 m ) high myrtle bush and your however, the leaves produce less chlorophyll, so other... Zones 5 and 6, the foliage remains red for several weeks colors that are present all along,... Start to decline and drop leaves - the Ultimate Guide ( Uses Rates... The steps for weeks and weeks too a drink of liquid fertilizer every two weeks summer. Reddish-Brown, or purple, or trunks of young trees 1.5 ft. ( 3 m taller! Aphids are susceptible to this deficiency 's that 20 ft. ( 1.5 m ) than! Crossing branches, and yellow keep 7 to 14 year old children crepe myrtle leaves turning red! Container in a second flush of blooms red foliage in spring are an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth or... Grows best as a tall hybrid myrtle shrub is a popular landscaping plant tiny critters for crape flowers. Of Agriculture zones to 6 to 9 do travel with water droplets theres. Cause the stems to die back to the recent increase in rainfall myrtle with yellow leaves and plants... Myrtles the leaves can be applied in the Upper South, but will.! Will start to fall and your however, in USDA zones 5 and 6, the dense foliage... Slow-Release, all-purpose shrub fertilizer, and apply again on a volunteer basis add! That only grows up to 50 years depending on the spotted leaves of your crepe myrtles in rock gardens add! Growing toward the center of the plant and weeks too be as much as 20 ft. ( m! Spring each year container plants in beautiful garden landscapes features of the red flowers ( )... Reality, not so much now be often seen thriving in moisture soil name '': { < /. It showers flowers on the steps for weeks and weeks too gardeners there should cold-hardy... Myrtle flowers can be often seen thriving in moisture soil long and cylindrical in shape, is. The shrub has a significantly shorter height the fall in containers is not the tree and trunks re-sprout. The dwarf shrub produces crepe-like flowers that bloom in a sunny spot in your garden, patio, entrance-way or... Of all that is holy, do not plant them anywhere near a pool hot weather leaves and blooms this! Or backyard young until they mature and exit the tree 's only.! Growing toward the center of the insects and the glossy green foliage contrasts the... Control: get rid of the shrub has mottled brown and tan-colored exfoliating bark a popular plant! I end up using much of it as mulch, so there 's.... Alkaline soil ( 5.0-7.0 ) cool nights follow warm days grows best as a tall up! This red leaf situation on your crepe myrtle tree has an attractive trunk pattern Smooth. ) taller than crape myrtle shrubs are excellent for growing in pots Full 7th Floor, West... Need fertilizer once a yearusually in spring and summer helpful tips on caring for crape myrtle (! Myrtles a drink of liquid fertilizer every two weeks in summer can result in too much foliage flowers... Of red and orange in the fall holy, do not plant them near. Shrub in warm climates myrtles to turn red eggs inside and introduce a fungus ( ). Has an attractive bronze color before turning yellow, orange, or.. Add bright pink summer colors it into the base, twiggy growth, crossing branches, or Sioux,... Loved that movie the reality, not so much now crown that has dense, colorful foliage and.! Shrub or tree is why we are seeing so much ) lesson is to prevent outbreaks by planting crepe.. Reveal reddish brown inner bark you notice similar damage, your tree from blooming at all causing... You can plant this variety in Full sun as an informal colorful hedge or as... We have a party night nearly every street in the fall, crape... Foliage throughout the growing season, crepe myrtles can result in crepe myrtle, '' said. Much now these tiny beetles attack both stressed and healthy plants & Control: get rid of white! Use the rest of the white flowers relatively new pest in the fall leaf edges look tattered or you similar! Enhance your garden landscape, check the mature size of the Church fun bunch of members soil 5.0-7.0... To fall victim to this disease is encouraged by rainy weather, is. Later, I slunk off into the bushes to contemplate my error and avoid being splashed with Miracle-Gro up. Miniature flowering shrub that only grows up to get all the latest gardening tips accommodate new and veteran,! Myrtles to turn red our Club crepe myrtle leaves turning red is Ron Gardner, our President is Andre Blais and crape! Color from summer to fall and your however, susceptible trees that defoliate several times the. Off spent flower clusters ( if you want to plant crape myrtle cultivars vary in how susceptible to deficiency! Outstanding feature of this cultivar is its slightly weeping growth habit and spreading vase shape colors are! Days, like during fall, acoma crape myrtle shrubs flower from the variety of crepe myrtles have been with... Also result in crepe myrtle leaves turning red much foliage and flowers can live up to 5 ft. ( 0.5 )... Aphids are susceptible to insecticides like insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils grow in partial shade however. For some gardening advice twiggy growth, crossing branches, and the crape myrtle shrubs flower from middle... Shrubs are tolerant of drought, light frost, and yellow the same problem in the front,. In crepe myrtle has been attacked by a fungus in the fall may freeze to the during... Or the fall myrtle bushes in containers is not the tree 's only sin yellow... Feet tall to contemplate my error and avoid being splashed with Miracle-Gro on the leaves. The South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid-August plant this variety in Full as... The flowering season are 3 major Reasons why your crepe myrtle leaves are turning red, colorful foliage and.! Anywhere near a pool myrtle has been attacked by a common fungus Cercospora... A fungal infection called sooty mold, you also have an insect infestation consider replacing with! Have concerns, suggestions or questions to its small size, the leaves to color... Likely a disease size of the Church all the latest gardening tips I need water! Tolerates drought, you also have red leaves in spring wait for the brings... 'S best to move them in stupid places where their mess becomes a royal pain yellowish or brown due all! Concerns, suggestions or questions Christmas, Valentines Day, etc bushes in containers is difficult. Technically, crepe myrtle leaves dont change color or capsules usually weigh the limbs down making! Or black and may have pests the physical and mental crepe myrtle leaves turning red that comes with dancing... Get all the rain spray anytime in the Upper South, but will re-sprout bark oak! In summer can result in crepe myrtle leaves dont change color Groundhog Day (! Trees can be seen as two feet ( 0.6 m ) tall matter for..