Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a highly favored ornamental tree or shrub in warmer climates, celebrated for its extended summer bloom period. These plants produce vibrant, showy flower clusters that make them a centerpiece in many landscapes. As the initial bloom fades, the question of removing the spent flowers, known as deadheading, becomes common. While the crepe myrtle does not require deadheading for survival, removing these dead blooms can significantly influence the plant’s appearance and flowering performance later in the season.
The Primary Rationale for Removing Spent Blooms
The decision to remove faded flower heads is primarily rooted in encouraging a second, or even third, wave of blooms later in the summer season. Once the colorful petals drop, the plant initiates the process of setting seed within the remaining cluster, which forms a small, round seed capsule. This reproductive effort requires a substantial amount of the plant’s stored energy reserves.
By removing the entire spent flower raceme before the seed pods fully develop, the gardener interrupts this energy-intensive process. The plant’s resources are then redirected away from seed production and channeled back into vegetative growth. This surge in energy promotes the rapid growth of new stems and branches, which subsequently produce a fresh set of flower buds.
Crepe myrtles bloom exclusively on new wood produced during the current growing season. Therefore, removing the old flower head stimulates the growth necessary for re-blooming. This practice is also effective aesthetically, as it removes the unsightly brown, dried-out clusters that contrast sharply with the plant’s lush green foliage. For varieties that bloom early, deadheading ensures the plant continues to cycle through blooms until fall.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deadheading Crepe Myrtles
The precise execution of deadheading is paramount to achieving a successful re-bloom without causing unnecessary stress or damage. The correct tool is a pair of sharp, clean bypass hand pruners, which ensure a swift cut that minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens. Dull or dirty tools can crush the stem, making the plant more vulnerable to disease.
The most important step is identifying the exact location for the cut. Instead of simply clipping the brown flower cluster, the cut should be made on the stem just above the first set of leaves or a visible, healthy side shoot beneath the spent bloom. This specific point has the greatest potential to produce a new, vigorous branch capable of supporting a new flower cluster.
Timing is a significant factor. The spent blooms should be removed as soon as their color fades and before the small, green seed capsules harden. In most temperate regions, this means performing the task between the end of the initial bloom in mid-summer and no later than the end of July. Deadheading too late in the season can stimulate tender new growth that may not have sufficient time to harden off before the first frost, making it vulnerable to cold damage.
For very tall specimens, where reaching the bloom cluster is difficult, it is better to leave the flowers than to attempt an unsafe or incorrect cut. Small, shrub-sized varieties or those trained in a patio container are the easiest to manage. The material removed consists only of the thin, non-woody stem of the flower head.
Distinction Between Summer Deadheading and Winter Pruning
Deadheading is often confused with the more significant structural cuts performed during the dormant season, yet the two practices serve entirely different purposes. Summer deadheading is a light, aesthetic intervention focused solely on removing the spent flower components to encourage a subsequent bloom. This process involves the removal of only soft, herbaceous material, and it is done during the active growth period.
In contrast, winter pruning is a major structural overhaul of the plant, conducted between late winter and early spring when the tree is dormant. This type of pruning involves removing significant woody material. The primary goals of winter pruning are to shape the tree, control its overall size, encourage air circulation within the canopy, and promote larger blooms on the new growth that will emerge in the spring.
The common, severe practice of indiscriminately cutting back all branches to the same point, sometimes called “Crepe Murder,” is a form of structural pruning that harms the tree’s natural shape and health. Deadheading, by focusing only on the flower cluster, does not involve cutting into the thick, woody structure of the tree. Deadheading is best viewed as a seasonal performance booster, while winter pruning is a necessary structural management tool.