Question
I read Kellie's problem with her crape myrtles. I have the exact same problem (i also live in charlotte) and will take your advice to spray every 5 days. However, planted in a semi cirles around my trees are low bushes with black mildew on their leaves. no aphids there.  are these bushes causing the black on my crape myrtles? or is it really the aphids? should i spray the trees for aphids and fungicide?

Answer
IF the bushes are sticky and the leaves on the crept myrtle are sticky form the honeydew then this is aphids. Just the opposite--the crept myrtle and their aphids are causing the sooty mold on the low bushes under the tree. The sap is dripping or blowing with the wind onto the bushes and the sooty mold is growing on the honeydew. Control the aphids and the sooty mold will be washed off with rain water. Spray the crept myrtle foliage.