Question
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FERTILIZE AND CARE FOR CRYPT MRYTLES?

Answer
Fertilizing
Crape myrtles respond to fertilization. Since many types are fairly fast growers and they produce copious blooms they benefit from extra nutrition. In the spring sprinkle a granular, all-purpose fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants on the soil under the shrub or tree out as far as the branches reach for the rain or sprinkler to water in. A general fertilizer is 10-10-10 fertilizer.  Consult the package label for specific amounts, but a rule of thumb is 1/2 pound per 1/2 inch of trunk diameter for trees. Do not allow the fertilizer to fall on the stems or foliage. Since crape myrtles bloom heavily late in the growing season, a light sprinkling of this same fertilizer or a spray of dilute liquid fertilizer on the foliage in early August, no later, will give the shrub or tree a boost. Do not overdo, as crape myrtles normally grow vigorously and densely without any encouragement.

Mulching
A 2 to 3 inch layer of some attractive organic material spread on the soil over the crape myrtle root system has many benefits. A layer of wood chips, pine needles, chopped leaves, pine needles or shredded bark will discourage weeds, help keep the soil moist and provide a barrier against injury to the tree or shrub from mechanical yard care equipment

Pruning/Grooming
Crape myrtles may be pruned for health or control purposes. All types of this plant may need to have diseased or damaged stems cut out from time to time. This should be done promptly, regardless of the time of year. Some homeowners prune back larger tree-like varieties of crape myrtles in the early spring to control their height. They cut the stems back nearly to the ground which forces the plant to produce larger flowers on fewer stems and remain about 4 or 5 feet tall. It is obviously not necessary to do this on the newer, shrubier versions of crape myrtle. Those planted for hedges will need some grooming each season. Always do any cosmetic pruning in the early spring before new growth starts. Otherwise the wood on which this season's flowers will bloom is removed.