A Japanese maple can be grown indoors, but only under very specific conditions that mimic its natural outdoor environment.   It’s not a typical houseplant that thrives with just indirect light and occasional watering, so you’ll need to be committed to recreating its preferred habitat inside your home.   Many … Read more

You trim a young crepe myrtle by focusing on structure, not severe cutting.   Many gardeners mistakenly hack back crepe myrtles each year, a practice called crepe murder, but young trees need a gentler, more thoughtful approach.   If you’ve just planted a young crepe myrtle and you’re wondering how … Read more

Vinegar will kill crepe myrtle, but only if you’re targeting young shoots or small saplings, not an established tree.   If you’ve been wondering whether vinegar can kill crepe myrtle and finally get rid of those stubborn sprouts, the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes.   … Read more

Sooty mold will not kill your crepe myrtle.   That’s the short, reassuring answer to the question “will sooty mold kill my crepe myrtle?” but it’s not the whole story.   Sooty mold is a superficial fungus that feeds on the sticky honeydew left behind by pests like aphids, scale, … Read more

Salt can kill crepe myrtle, but the story isn’t as simple as sprinkling a little on the ground and watching the tree vanish.   When you ask, “will salt kill crepe myrtle?” the answer depends on how much salt you use, the type of salt, and how the salt gets … Read more

Your crepe myrtle will grow back after a freeze, though the physical evidence of the damage might look terrifying right now.   If you’ve stepped outside after a cold snap and seen a crepe myrtle that looks dead, brittle, or completely bare, I want you to take a deep breath … Read more

Grass will grow under crepe myrtle, but it often takes a little extra effort to make it thrive there. The good news is that a crepe myrtle doesn’t have to mean a dead, bare patch of dirt beneath its canopy. Many homeowners successfully get grass to grow under crepe myrtle … Read more

Will Epsom Salt Kill Crepe Myrtle? Epsom salt will not kill crepe myrtle when used correctly, but it can damage or even kill your tree if you misuse it. Many gardeners swear by Epsom salt for various plants, but the truth about Epsom salt and crepe myrtle is a bit … Read more

Deer will eat crepe myrtles, but they usually only nibble on them when food is scarce or when the trees are young and tender.   If you’ve been asking yourself, “will deer eat crepe myrtles?” the short answer is yes, they can and they will, especially during harsh winters or … Read more

Deer will eat crepe myrtle bushes, but they typically only do so when food is scarce or when the bushes are young and tender.   If you’ve been noticing nibbled branches and stripped leaves in your yard, you’re probably wondering if deer will eat crepe myrtle bushes in your landscape. … Read more