FOUR WAYS TO AVOID CREPE MURDER

"Crepe Murder: February's most heinous garden crime. Don't be guilty of this offense in 2016. Follow these four easy guide points to avoid unsightly, knobby knuckles and ensure healthy, beautiful Crepe Myrtles!
RACHEL GIBBS, DESIGNER + PROJECT MANAGER

Here is what NOT to do. Don’t be a victim of this all-too-common mistake. Follow these guide points below to set yourself up for Crepe Myrtle success!

**Crepe Myrtle Care by Lanson B. Jones & Co.**

1. Trim your Crepe Myrtles on Valentine’s Day

Show your Crepe Myrtles some love in mid-February and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful summer blooms! Late winter (now) is the best time to prune your Crepe Myrtles, because they are leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. Blooms form on new growth, so pruning now won’t reduce your amount of blooms.

2. Sculpt when you prune

By sculpting when you prune, you can focus new growth (and future blooms) towards the top of the tree. This ensures your Crepe Myrtle will have a balanced and dramatic summer bloom cycle.

3. Prune properly

This is a nice diagram from Fine Gardening Magazine. Cut away any branches thinner than a pencil in diameter and clean up shooters at the base of the tree for a clean trunk appearance.

4. Enjoy your blooms!

You worked hard to take great care of your Crepe Myrtles and they only bloom for a short time. Incorporate them around your home for fresh pops of color and a cheerful reminder of a job well done!

MAINTENANCELanson JonesFebruary 5, 2016