Natchez Crape Myrtle for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on August 16, 2022

Planting instructions

To set the ideal growing conditions for your Natchez crape myrtle tree, you should begin by finding an area that receives full sunlight and has moist, well-draining soils. Typically, the best soils for this plant will have an acidity that falls between 6 and 6.5 on the pH scale. To plant your tree, begin by digging a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and at least twice as wide. Water your Natchez crape myrtle while you backfill and complete the job by layering mulch over the planting area.

Watering and nutrients

Mature Natchez crape myrtle trees have admirable drought tolerance and may be able to survive for relatively long periods without supplemental water. In fact, overwatering is a far more prevalent risk for this plant than underwatering. The best approach for watering this plant is to observe the soil moisture and provide a deep watering when the first few inches of soil have dried out. Fertilizing a Natchez crape myrtle is even easier, as all you’ll need to do is apply an all-purpose fertilizer once per year during early spring.

Pollination

With the right growing location and care, your Natchez crape myrtle tree will bloom with many white flowers each year. Those flowers contain plenty of nectar, which will attract bees and other insects. Those insects are responsible for carrying pollen from one flower to another to facilitate pollination. Since crape myrtles are self-pollinating, you won’t need more than one plant in order for pollination to occur. When pollination is successful, the tree will produce a small brown capsule that carries the crape myrtle’s seeds.

Pruning

The best time of year to prune your Natchez crape myrtle tree is during the late winter and early spring months. Since these plants bloom on new growth, pruning early in the year does not come with the risk of removing the coming season’s blooms. You may also choose to prune during the bloom period, which occurs throughout summer and fall. During this time, you can remove spent blooms, which often motivates the Natchez crape myrtle to produce additional flowers.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Most crape myrtles have some issues with pests and diseases, including the Natchez crape myrtle. However, this crape myrtle does show some improved pest resistance compared to other crape myrtle varieties. The Natchez crape myrtle is especially resistant to aphids. However, many other complications can arise with this plant. Most notably, powdery mildew, mold, blight, and black spots can all occur. At times, these issues can be related to overwatering or an overcrowded canopy that does not allow for proper air circulation.

Achieving maximum results

Typically, the Natchez crape myrtle will provide lovely foliage colors in the fall. However, there are some instances in which this may not be the case. For example, if you experience an early frost, the leaves on your tree may die and fall to the ground before changing colors. Also, Natchez crape myrtles that grow in the hotter parts of their growing range may show somewhat muted fall colors. Additionally, you should be wary of overfertilizing your Natchez crape myrtle, as it can lead to excessive foliage development in lieu of flower production.

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