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Underplanting Crape Myrtle
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Posted by djw_nc NC (My Page) on Sat, Dec 4, 04 at 18:18
| I have two Crape Myrtles planted by the builder's landscaper. One is underplanted with Nandina and the other is underplanted with a ubiquitous white flowering shrub (but who's name escapes me). The plants under the Myrtles are withering and thin while plants in different areas of the drip zone are thriving. My neighbor has the same problem with gardenias and an irrigation system.
I don't think it is either lack of water or too much shade. Is CM allilopathic or could it just be the roots robbing the underplanting of something.
What is successful in underplanting the Crape Myrtle? I'd like something with a little height (>6") and flowering. Does anyone have any suggestions? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Underplanting Crape Myrtle
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I have grown gingers under mine for years and they have suffered no adverse effects. I also grow vines up a couple. Its really pretty with the vine's flowers hanging down from the canopy. One of the myrtles flowers white while the vine flowers sky blue. They look great together :o) Don't use a really agressive vine like the cypress vine.
With that in mind if looking for a smallish plant you may want to think of shallow rooted plants like smaller gingers, cast iron plant, ferns and so forth.
Mike |
RE: Underplanting Crape Myrtle
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| I have two underplanted crape myrtles. One is underplanted with daylilies, society garlic, bearded iris, daffodils and sedum. A second, the largest, is underplanted with rosemary, sweet alyssum, pelargonium, daffodils, cuphea hyssopifolia and allium triquetrum. It's possible that the shrubs under your trees have root systems that are competing unsuccessfully. Maybe dwarf shrubs, bulbs or perennials (with low water requirements, similar to crape myrtle) would do better. |
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