Everything You Need To Know About Twilight Crape Myrtle Trees
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Crape Myrtle tree produce striking flowers, eye-catching mottled bark, and multi-trunk shrub growth all year long. They also feature large, crinkly, deep-purple blooms throughout the summer. Gardeners who seek privacy screens, foundation plants, or eye-catching garden features should consider planting Crape Myrtle trees. Read how to correctly water them, foster the right growing conditions, and prevent pest and disease issues in our guide below.
Twilight Crape Myrtle Trees at a Glance
Crape Myrtle trees include the features below.
- Attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
- Bloom all summer long with deep purple flowers
- Provide year-round interest with mottled bark
- Require little maintenance
- Resist drought conditions
Appearance and Characteristics of Twilight Crape Myrtles
Twilight Crape Myrtle trees grow as multi-stemmed shrubs that feature upright branches, but you can prune them so that they feature a single-stemmed, more tree-like structure. Their oval leaves are bronze in the spring, transition to green in the summer, and become and orange and red in the fall. The tree’s bark peels away in layers to reveal a mottled pattern. This exfoliating bark ranges from gray to light pink and dark reddish-brown.
Twilight Crape Myrtle trees can grow up to 25 feet high and 10–15 feet wide. They feature crinkly flowers that are the deepest purple of any Crape Myrtle tree.
Growing Conditions for Twilight Crape Myrtle
Your Twilight Crape Myrtle trees will only grow to their full potential if you create the right environment. Consider the variables below..
Sun and Shade
Twilight Crape Myrtles thrive in full, direct sunlight that lasts at least six hours a day. They can grow in partial shade as well, but they will flower less.
Soil Preferences
Twilight Crape Myrtle trees thrive in acidic soil that drains well and feature a pH level that’s between 5 and 6.5. Most plants thrive at a pH level of 6.5–7, so you may need to amend your soil. Applying sulfur can make your soil more acidic.
Watering Needs
You should water Twilight Crape Myrtles once a week immediately after planting them to encourage strong root growth. After a few months, you can reduce watering to once or twice a month at a depth of six inches. The trees will become drought-tolerant once they’re established.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones identify the regions in which different plants thrive. Twilight Crape Myrtles thrive in Zones 7–10 and especially in areas across the Southeast.
Planting Your Twilight Crape Myrtle
Follow the tree planting guidelines below to give your tree a great start.
Best Time To Plant
Plant your Twilight Crape Myrtles in late fall or early spring. This will allow your tree to establish its root system before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
- Choose a location that gets full sun and features soil that drains well.
- Clear the area of weeds, turfgrass, and debris.
- Dig a hole that’s three times wider than the root ball and equally deep.
- Remove the tree from its container and loosen the roots.
- Place the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball sits slightly above ground level.
- Backfill with soil and tamp it to remove air pockets.
- Water to settle the soil around the roots.
- Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base, but don’t place it around the tree trunk.
Space the trees 10–12 feet apart if you’re planting several trees as part of a privacy screen.
Care and Maintenance of Your Twilight Crape Myrtle
Follow the tips below to correctly maintain your trees so that they produce beautiful blooms year after year.
Fertilizing Schedule
Feed your Twilight Crape Myrtle with a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring. Apply the fertilizer just as you start to see leaf buds. You can also apply a second application in the early fall. Use a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 8-8-8. Follow the package instructions for more specific application rates.
Pruning Techniques
If you decide to prune your tree, make your cuts in late winter before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and thin out the center. This will improve air circulation.
Pest and Disease Management
Twilight Crape Myrtles are resistant to many pests and diseases, but aphids, Japanese beetles, or powdery mildew can damage them. Inspect your trees regularly, and treat them with insecticides or fungicides to keep infestations from becoming severe.
Landscape Uses for Twilight Crape Myrtle
Incorporate your Twilight Crape Myrtle tree into your outdoor space with one of the methods below.
- Focal point: Twilight Crape Myrtle trees can serve as centerpieces because of how big they are and how ornate their flowers are.
- Mixed borders: Include these trees as part of a mixed border that can serve as a contrast to other plants in your yard. These trees will diversify your design.
- Privacy screens: Plant several Twilight Crape Myrtle trees in a row to serve as a privacy screen.
Pros and Cons of Twilight Crape Myrtle
Consider the pros and cons of growing your own Twilight Crape Myrtle tree below.
Advantages
- Attracts pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds
- Bark provides year-round interest
- Drought-resistant once established
- Long blooming season that includes deep purple flowers
- Low maintenance requirements
Potential Drawbacks
- May not fit in small gardens
- May require occasional pruning
- Messy when shedding flowers and leaves
- Requires full sun to flower
Comparing Twilight Crape Myrtle to Other Varieties
Twilight Crape Myrtles have unique characteristics including those below.
- Color: Crape Myrtle varieties can feature pink, red, or white blooms, but Twilight Crape Myrtles have deep purple blooms. These trees are dramatic choices if you’re looking for something especially bold.
- Size: The Twilight’s large size works well in larger yards where it’s free to grow and spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the trees bloom for?
Twilight Crape Myrtle trees bloom all summer long.
What color are the flowers?
The blossoms are deep purple.
How much sun do they need?
They can grow in full sunlight or partial shade, but less sun means they will produce fewer flowers.
Do they attract birds?
Yes, Twighlight Crape Myrtle trees attract hummingbirds and pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
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