Question
When is the right time to plant Crepe Myrtles and will it tolerate clay soil...
which is the redest....Dynamite or Red Rocket?

Thanks,

Answer
Hello Minnie

Thank you for your question.

A plant supplied in a container can actually be planted at any time of the year (except deepest winter or very frosty conditions), but the Fall is reckoned to be the best time for planting as the soil is still warm from the summer and the plant has time to get its roots down and away into the soil before the weather cools down.

Crepe Myrtle likes a well drained, moisture retentive soil, and thus clay is not ideal, but there are things you can do to help -

Big a really big hole;

Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole and incorporate plenty of horticultural grit and cover with a good layer of compost, also mix grit and compost into the spoil from the hole;

Place the plant into the hole ensuring that the top of the compost is level with the top of the hole;

Back fill with the spoil and firm in as you go using your heel - this is to ensure that the plant wont rock in the wind;

Water the plant well - this is called 'watering in' and helps to wash the soil around the roots of the plant so that there are no air pockets, giving the roots maximum contact with the growing medium.

Make sure that the plant is kept moist, especially during its first season, after that it should be able to care of itself except during very dry periods.

As for the color - give me red rocket every time - but it is a matter of personal taste!