Infinitini^® Magenta Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica

I’ve been growing crape myrtles in Zone 6a for a number of years now. I did have some errors here & there. I noticed that they WILL come back from the ROOTS as long as they are Mulched well, (zones 6 and lower, about 8-12” of mulch around, and about 6-9” tall. Cedar bark mulch will work. I have also used “wilt pruf” on the stems of the crape myrtle in Early December on a 50* day. That helps mitigate the wind & helps protect the plant from wind damage/moisture loss. I also burlap crape myrtles, and this year I put about 3’ of hay around the base of each plant. The hay Should NOT touch the base of the plant if you have wet winters. If all these options fail, wait until the ground has warmed up in the mid-60s early may-late June depending on where you are. You can also take a coin and scratch the bark. If it’s a little green it’s still alive. But, wait at least until mid-June before you decide it’s done. In zones 5b and lower they Do grow as a standard Perennial that does to the ground & comes up with “new branches” that will produce flowers. That’s the nice thing about crape myrtles is that they flower, even if not as full, but they will flower, as long as new wood grows. My last tip for growing crape myrtles in zone 5b or lower, is to Find the microclimate in the yard where it gets a ton of sun, protection from winds, (W,NW & NE). What I did over the past few summers was to take temperature readings from these spots in the yard day & night for a week. Come to find out, on a night of our “first frost” only a few plants on an entire acre of garden were touched. Then, I found a part of the garden protected and closer to the foundation where it loves it there. It stays 4-6* warmer in the day and 5-8* above surround area during the night. Crape myrtles Are More effort to grow Only if you live in an area zone 6b/7a or colder. If you can find that warm spot it will set up for better success! If you are skeptical, try planting something that’s usually an annual, & is 1 full growing zone warmer (if zone 6a, try zone 7a plant) and place it in that spot. Mulch it & wait & see how it makes it in the winter & if it comes back the next year. I’ve found that by doing this, I am able to see what grows best where. I will say, I have grown windmill Palms outside for 7+ years now in Zone 6a. Burlap, mulch, straw, & wilt Pruf is what I use. Sometimes if they predict it will go lower than 10* F, I’ll go out & cover with a 40-55 gallon plastic drum or even just some pieces of cardboard with some plastic over the top.