[PaPaLarry]

Does anyone know how long Crepe Myrtles flower here in The Villages? Seems like the flowers are going away after blooming for about 3-4 weeks? Unless they re-bloom again? If I knew how to put pictures on thread, I would show you, before and now. Maybe they bloom again. I was under the impression, that they just bloom all summer. Just a plain ole New Hampsherite ask'n!!!

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Does anyone know how long Crepe Myrtles flower here in The Villages? Seems like the flowers are going away after blooming for about 3-4 weeks? Unless they re-bloom again? If I knew how to put pictures on thread, I would show you, before and now. Maybe they bloom again. I was under the impression, that they just bloom all summer. Just a plain ole New Hampsherite ask'n!!!

They have a relatively short bloom period, maybe a month or sometimes longer. But, if you want to cut back the bloom when it dies the tree will bloom again throughout the year. As with most everything in life, things change from year to year. Last year they bloomed for a long period of time, this year (maybe due to lack of rain or perhaps the mild winter) they seem to be dying back faster and I have noticed the bloom is not as heavy as it was last year.

I think their blooming period is very similar to lilacs in New Hampshire

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

They have a relatively short bloom period, maybe a month or sometimes longer. But, if you want to cut back the bloom when it dies the tree will bloom again throughout the year. As with most everything in life, things change from year to year. Last year they bloomed for a long period of time, this year (maybe due to lack of rain or perhaps the mild winter) they seem to be dying back faster and I have noticed the bloom is not as heavy as it was last year.

I think their blooming period is very similar to lilacs in New Hampshire

What do you mean by cutting back bloom? Just cut the bloomed area off? Looks like the berrie type sprout, will bloom again, but I guess it doesn't!!! Hmmmmm??? Oh well, they were nice while they lasted

[courtyard]

I planted 5 myrtles last year. This year they bloomed beautifully for just a short time, also. Just went outside to inspect their leaves and found them covered with aphids. Washed them off with the hose. They are producing new berries so I guess I could expect more blooms shortly...

[graciegirl]

Mine are suddenly blooming like crazy. Early on there were a few flowers and now...bingo we have a bunch.

Maybe each type is timed to bloom at different times?

PapaLarry, I was so envious that you got the watermelon colored ones. We have the lilac colored ones. I noticed white ones and a deeper red than watermelon.

They sure are beautiful, especially the big mature ones in the common areas and it seems they get prettier and fuller with age.

That is nice of them since they live here an they get better with age. Maybe that will start happening to me! I am definitely getting fuller.

[Joaniesmom]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Mine are suddenly blooming like crazy. Early on there was a few flowers and now...bingo we have a bunch.

Maybe each type is timed to bloom at different times?

PapaLarry, I was so envious that you got the watermelon colored ones. We have the lilac colored ones. I noticed white ones and a deeper red than watermelon.

They sure are beautiful, especially the big mature ones in the common areas and it seems they get prettier and fuller with age.

That is nice of them since they live here. Maybe that will start happeing to me! I am definitely getting fuller.

Gotta git me one a those!!!

Joaniesmom

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

What do you mean by cutting back bloom? Just cut the bloomed area off? Looks like the berrie type sprout, will bloom again, but I guess it doesn't!!! Hmmmmm??? Oh well, they were nice while they lasted

My trees are too mature and too big to reach, but if you have small trees, take the dead bloom and snip it off from the branch. In another two to three months it will make buds and bloom for you again. You can keep doing this all year until the fall when it shuts down for the winter.

The "berries" are the seeds of the Crepe Myrtle and the birds just love them, and any that are left on will drop off during the winter months.

[PaPaLarry]

Well, feel a little better, knowing that other trees bloom for 3-4 weeks before they lose their blossoms!! Gracie, caught your comment on getting fuller!! LOL PaPa Larry also. I'm going to take advice about cutting off old blooms, and see what happens. I'll pull off seeds and drop them to ground for birds. I put a nice bird house out there amongst the Myrtles, for my Sally. So far no tenants. (Must be high rent district - bird house is a church) So, now put out a hang'n bird bath, to see if we attract any action!!! Don't want to put feed out there, because of rodents. Thought if they use bird bath, they will be clean, and house will be clean too!! LOL They can pay off bond, year to year

This year I noticed that the white bloomed 1st, then the lavender, then the pink & then the hot pink, like ours. The ones I have seen have certainly bloomed longer than 3-4 weeks, more like 2 months. Ours were planted last summer.

[Golfingnut]

Proper watering, fertilizer and prunning will produce flowers all summer long. When the flowers die, grab the stem right below where the flower is wilting away and bend it sideways and it will snap right off. In a few days you will see two or more new growth stems start and later more flowers. In Feb remember to prune the entire tree back at least 2 thirds of the prior years growth.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Proper watering, fertilizer and prunning will produce flowers all summer long. When the flowers die, grab the stem right below where the flower is wilting away and bend it sideways and it will snap right off. In a few days you will see two or more new growth stems start and later more flowers. In Feb remember to prune the entire tree back at least 2 thirds of the prior years growth.

Will snap off stems tomorrow!!!! Nice pictures KittyKat.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Will snap off stems tomorrow!!!! Nice pictures KittyKat.

I agree. Love the photos of the landscaping in TV!