Crepe myrtle is a cold-sensitive plant. In order for it to bloom diligently again the following year, it needs some support during the cold season.
When it comes to the question of overwintering, the natural origin of the plant always plays a role. Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) originally comes from Japan, Korea or China. This circumstance suggests that it could be rather difficult in the cold season with the blooming exotic from the Far East.
The plants really do like warmth and only bloom in time in warm summers. If our climate is rather harsh and humid, the plant can react offended and only show flowering in late summer or even refuse it completely. It may be all the more surprising that the plants have adapted to our weather conditions quite well and appear less sensitive than originally thought.
Crepe Myrtle in Winter
In tropical regions, the ornamental plants are cultivated outdoors all year round and can reach heights of up to five meters. In our latitudes, the crape myrtle was initially cultivated as a cold house plant. Especially in rather mild regions, the plants are also being cultivated more and more outdoors, even in the cold season. In general, the crape myrtle can be assessed as conditionally hardy. So there are definitely restrictions and in regions with long-lasting permanent frosts and low temperatures, winter quarters should be available in the house.
Hibernation in winter quarters
In late autumn, the plants go into a kind of hibernation. Then it is time to relocate the crape myrtle to a suitable winter quarters. If the plant is kept in a container, this causes the fewest problems, because container plants can be easily transported and they save the plant the stress of transplanting.
❍ Hibernation explained step by step
❶ Cut back the plant
❶ Transport the bucket into the house
❶ Select suitable winter quarters
❶ Stop fertilizing the plant
❶ Water the plant only sporadically
Crepe myrtle sheds its leaves in autumn. So she willtransported soon to winter quarters. The remaining branches are cut back radically. In this way, the crape myrtle can gather strength for the following growth period during the winter period. In winter, the plants do not need brightness. Winter quarters can be dark and cool. However, a damp basement is less suitable. This location can lead to fungus.
» Tip: The temperatures in the winter quarters should be around five degrees.
The soil should be checked regularly, because it must not dry out. But it is poured less than in summer. The fertilization is completely stopped. During the hibernation, the plants cannot utilize the available nutrients.
Wintering outdoors
If you want to leave your crape myrtle outdoors, not every variety is suitable. Young plants are usually more susceptible to frost and should definitely overwinter indoors. Older plants develop some resistance to frost over time and can handle sub-freezing temperatures for short periods of time. There are also some varieties that cope far better with our climate and tolerate temperatures down to - 20 degrees. These include the varieties Lagerstroemia chekiangensis and Lagerstroemia indica.
» Tip: Before you buy, find out which plants are suitable for your region, based on the site and soil requirements and their winter hardiness.
Under what conditions do the plants survive the winter outdoors?
As already mentioned, older plants are better protected against frost and cold than young plants, which should move into winter quarters before the first frosts. Overwintering the crape myrtle outdoors in harsh low mountain range regions will probably go wrong. East Germany and the low mountain ranges in the Bavarian region are less suitable for overwintering crape myrtle outdoors.
Worth a try is to hibernate in:
- river valleys
- near the coast
- in wine-growing regions
If the plants are overwintered outdoors, they usually do not need to be watered additionally. If the ground is covered with brushwood or leaves, this offers the plant protection and the moisture can be stored in the ground for longer. To prevent the winter sun from cracking the bark of the shrub, the branches can be covered. Spruce branches act as a welcome source of shade.
What happens after winter?
After the winter, the potted plants will gradually grow backaccustomed to their outdoor location. In February, the plants are moved from the dark winter quarters to a warm and sunny spot indoors. In this way, the plants slowly get used to the changed climatic conditions again and are already putting out the first leaves before they can move into their summer place in the garden or on the balcony or terrace in mid-May. When leaving the winter quarters, the hobby gardener begins to water and fertilize the crape myrtle more frequently.