Anyone protect a Crepe Myrtle TREE in zone 6?

12 years ago

I could post in the tree forum, but will try here first. Could you "dry pack" one in straw and prevent water coming in all winter in zone 6? I know not all winters will be brutal, but could it survive that treatment, guesses are welcome.

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User

11 years ago

Here's the deal. In Zones 7+ (assuming a normal year), there will be minimal die back of wood over the winter. Therefore (depending on the variety), some will wanna be TREES. (Yes, you could still prune back to maintain it as a shrub.) In Zone 6b, there will be some die back of the woody tissue due to cold (obviously, depending on factors such as cold duration). In colder zone 6's (6A), the cold damage may be considerable, but doubt that it would be killed to ground level. If it does get cut to ground level, that will obviously delay its blooms for the season. You also should go with one of the cultivars known for hardiness. There is a line of hybrid Crepe (they were all bred for cold hardiness and tolerance to high summer humidity).

You can identify them because they were each names after a particular Native American tribe.

Chances are, that if you CAN grow them in an areas, they WILL be sold in local nurseries and big box stores. If not, you can always experiment. I have had good luck over the years with the following Crepes: ZUNI (magenta color), DWARF HOPI (very vigorous, not really that 'dwarf' with a pleasant pink color), and Catawba (purple flowers). 'Dynamite' (red red flowers) has a great color but don't think it as cold hardy (may not be a hybrid..., certainly not one from the Native American tribe series). You can always grow them in containers where winters are harder. They do well in containers. They are relatively care free plants, AND they are quite deer resistant.

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Comments (13)

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
12 years ago
You can build a wire cage and stuff it full of anything- straw, leaves, etc. Just remember that it will pack down and you'll need to add more mid winter.
All that limits you is the size of your tree.

I think this past winter scared us all- I have multiple old Crape Myrtles in my neighborhood, so clearly they usually survive.
Don't freak out and feel like you have to cage everything just because one winter went wonky.

I think that if we learned anything it would be to site them a bit more carefully and make sure they are somewhat protected from winter winds.

This post was edited by cearbhaill on Sun, Jun 15, 14 at 8:42
poaky1
Original Author
12 years ago
Cearbhaill, I really would love for you to tell me, how was the wi nter of 2013-2014 so much worse than other winters in the past 8-10 winters ago?
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poaky1
Original Author
12 years ago
My seven-son-flower shrub has surprised me and cracked. There are leaves in the upper area, but the trunk is cracked, ready to fall on the ground. I just may replace it with a Crepe.
poaky1
Original Author
11 years ago
Sorry guys, I just realized how stupid my post was. Seven -son-flower shrub is supposed to be hardier than Crepe Myrtle. poaky1
rusty_blackhaw
11 years ago
I haven't tried to establish tree crepes here in zone 6a. I have multiple crepe shrubs. In mild winters most of the wood survives and sprouts new growth in spring. The past couple of winters with lows down in the minus-teens, everything dies back to the ground.

Under good growing conditions, there are still plenty of flowers.

I have a feeling that the right cultivar and careful siting are what are needed to establish tree forms in marginal climates.
poaky1
Original Author
11 years ago
There is a Burgundy colored Crepe Myrtle at a Lowe's here, the tag says zone 6. My Seven sons flower is disappointing, I may get rid of it, and possibly try the Burgundy Crepe, can't remember the name of it.
User
11 years ago
Poaky

You could put a light bulb, enclosed in a cage of course, under the tree on

The worst days/nights, a wire cage stuffed with straw, first.
User
11 years ago
My friend has one in her front yard here in z5 need to find out what kind.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Here are some pics.
I
User
11 years ago
First pic is Catawba.

2nd pic is Catawba with two Dynamite Red

Third is the Dwarf Hopi
Audrey Chambers
6 years ago
I'm in zone 6 and never had had to protect my crape myrtles. They are HARDY!
poaky1
Original Author
6 years ago
Audrey, what varieties do you have? Also, what lows have yours done great through? I have seen -12F as a low since I have been watching low temps here in SW Pa, also, where are you? My area has seen MUCH lower than -12F BUT not for a good while. IF you don't want to get too specific about where you are just tell me what your Crapes have seen as a low. This past winter was a zone 7b winter for me, very rare. Thanks for your reply :)