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Crape Myrtle Care in August: 6 Things to Do in Late Summer
Homes and Gardens • • science
Key Points:
- Crape myrtles thrive in USDA Zones 6-9 and display colorful blooms in August, but newly planted or container-grown plants need careful watering during heat and drought.
- Deep watering once or twice a week is recommended over frequent shallow watering to encourage strong root growth and soil moisture retention.
- Deadheading spent flowers can promote additional blooms, but pruning should be avoided in August to prevent stressing the plant during peak heat; structural pruning is best done in late winter.
- Full sun exposure (six to eight hours daily) and healthy roots are critical for abundant flowering, while pest management—especially for aphids, Japanese beetles, and bark scale—is important to maintain plant health.
- Fertilizing should be paused in late summer to allow natural dormancy, with focus on consistent watering, mulching, and pest monitoring to prepare the plant for fall and winter.
