Twilight Crape Myrtle for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on August 30, 2022

Planting instructions

Your Twilight crape myrtle will appreciate a growing location that sits in full sunlight and has moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. The best way to plant this tree is to dig a planting hole that is deep enough that the tree’s root flare sits at or just above the soil’s surface. That hole should also be about twice as wide as the root ball or wider. After placing your tree in the hole and backfilling it with nutrient-rich soil, you should cover the planting area with a layer of organic mulch, which will help maintain soil moisture.

Watering and nutrients

After you plant your Twilight crape myrtle, you should water it often enough to maintain consistent soil moisture, which will encourage the root system to establish itself. Once this tree is established, you should monitor the soil moisture and water deeply when you notice the first 2 to 3 inches of soil have become dry. The best way to feed this plant is to apply a fertilizer that has equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium once per year in spring.

Pollination

Like all crape myrtle trees, the Twilight crape myrtle is a self-pollinating plant, meaning that you need only one tree to allow for pollination and fruit development. Pollination typically occurs easily — the blooms of a Twilight crape myrtle are numerous and filled with nectar. That nectar serves as a fantastic food source for insects like bees and butterflies. However, since gardeners almost exclusively use the Twilight crape myrtle for ornamental purposes, pollination is not a concern when caring for this plant.

Pruning

There are two primary times of year in which it is advisable to prune a Twilight crape myrtle. The first of those periods occurs in late winter, as the plant is preparing to exit its dormant phase and begin producing new growth. At that time, you should prune to remove dead, damaged, and diseased stems and branches. The second time to prune this plant is during the bloom period. Notice when blooms have faded, then remove them from their branches to encourage future blooms.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Like most crape myrtle varieties, the Twilight crape myrtle is not vulnerable to many pests and diseases. However, it remains possible for this plant to run into some complications. One of the most common diseases to befall a Twilight crape myrtle is powdery mildew, a fungal infection that usually arises when this plant grows where it is too shaded or too wet. Sooty mold is another infection that can occur when the same poor growing conditions are in place. Along with those diseases, common garden pests, including aphids, scale insects, and Japanese beetles, may infest this tree.

Achieving maximum results

More often than not, a Twilight crape myrtle will be an easy-to-care-for plant. Still, there are a few characteristics of this treeto keep in mind when planning your maintenance routine. For instance, the Twilight crape myrtle is a fast-growing tree, meaning that you should be prepared to keep up with regular pruning to maintain an attractive form. Also, avoiding wet soils and overwatering leads to good odds that this plant will live a healthy and disease-free life. In many cases, Twilight crape myrtles show a strong ability to survive drought as well.

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