Flowering Trees, Shrubs & Hedges
Plant Care 101: Catawba Crape Myrtle
Written by
Blair Brown
With one of the brightest purple hues available and the timeless growth you love in a Crape Myrtle, our Catawba Crape Myrtle Tree is an icon of vibrant summer vibes.
Even better? It's virtually maintenance-free because it grows to a manageable height and blooms throughout the hot summer season. All the Catawba needs is a bit of sun and water to thrive...and we're here to help you get the most out of this amazing little tree.
Selecting the Area and Planting
The most important part of growing is selecting the best spot for your new tree. Our Catawba Crape loves full sun or about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Then, make sure your area has well-drained soil. The Catawba is adaptable to a number of soil types but loves well-draining soil. Simply ensure you shield it from the harsh afternoon sun, and you're ready to go.
Also, keep your Crape's mature height and width in mind. Though it doesn't grow to an astronomical mature height or width, it shouldn't be placed in too-small spaces...you want to make sure it has room to 'branch' out!
When you're ready to plant, dig a hole large enough to accommodate your Catawba's root ball with some extra width for mature growth. Once you've dug your hole, place your tree, backfill your soil and water the area to settle your tree's roots. Then, mulch the surrounding soil to preserve moisture.
Ongoing Care
Ongoing care is hassle-free, but these few extra tips will prepare your Catawba Crapes for a lush life. First, set a regular watering schedule - generally, watering your Catawba about once or twice a week is ideal.
If you're not sure when to water, simply check your tree's surrounding soil with your finger at a depth of at least 2 or 3 inches. If the soil is dry in this area, it's time to water your tree.
Pruning is easy, too - just remove dead or damaged growth, and any suckers at the bottom of the tree. Lopping off the top of your Crape Myrtle isn't necessary!
Catawba Tips to Keep in Mind
So, our Catawba Crape is really simple to plant and keep. However, we do have a few more tips to keep in mind:
- Fertilize your Catawba with a well-balanced, slow-release blend once or twice yearly, before new growth begins in the spring and after blooms have faded after summer.
- As blooms begin to fade, clip and use them for flower arrangements! This helps make your pruning process at the end of the season even easier.
Large, vivid blooms, fresh growth and more: The Catawba Crape Myrtle has it all. See more about this tree and get yours today!
