Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are popular ornamental trees known for their vibrant, long-lasting summer blooms. As deciduous plants, they drop their leaves in the fall and remain dormant throughout the winter. This dormancy often leads gardeners to wonder when the tree will show signs of life in the spring. Understanding the timing and conditions that trigger new growth helps manage expectations.
General Timeline for Budding
The typical window for crepe myrtle budding spans from late spring into early summer, noticeably later than many other deciduous trees. The crepe myrtle remains dormant until temperatures are consistently warm. Generally, budding occurs between late April and late May, depending on the specific hardiness zone.
In warmer zones (USDA Zones 8 and 9), new growth may appear reliably in late April or early May. In cooler regions, such as Zone 7, the tree often waits until mid-to-late May before pushing out its first leaves. This emergence of leaves precedes the flowering period, which usually starts in early summer.
Climate Factors That Affect Timing
The precise timing of bud break is largely determined by environmental signals, primarily temperature. The tree requires winter chilling followed by sustained warmth to initiate growth. It will not begin to wake up until the soil and air temperatures remain consistently warm, often waiting until the risk of late frost has passed.
A significant factor is the warming of the soil, which lags behind the air temperature. Crepe myrtles rely on this warmth to signal favorable conditions, making them one of the last trees to leaf out. A long, cold winter naturally delays budding, while an unseasonably warm spring can accelerate it. Sudden temperature dips, even after initial warming, can cause the tree to pause development as a survival mechanism against late spring freezes.
Identifying the First Signs of Growth
When a crepe myrtle emerges from dormancy, the first sign is the swelling of leaf buds along the branches. These small buds are typically located on new wood near the tips or just above a pruning cut. They often have a slightly reddish or bronzed tint before unfurling into green foliage.
The initial leaves are often a reddish-green hue, gradually transitioning to a darker green as they mature. This emergence of foliage confirms the tree is breaking dormancy, distinct from flower buds which form later on the tips of new growth. Gardeners can perform a simple scratch test on a small branch; a bright green layer underneath confirms the branch is alive and will bud soon.
Why Your Crepe Myrtle Might Be Late
A crepe myrtle that is noticeably late to bud, even compared to others nearby, often causes concern but is frequently a normal occurrence. Crepe myrtles are naturally slow to leaf out and are typically the last tree in the yard to show spring growth. This inherent characteristic should be taken into account before assuming a problem exists.
One potential reason for significant delay is severe winter damage, especially in the northern limits of its hardiness range. If temperatures drop too low, the top growth may experience “winter kill,” forcing the plant to regrow from the base or from wood closer to the ground. Aggressive pruning, sometimes incorrectly called “crepe murder,” can also delay budding because the tree must expend extra energy recovering. If a scratch test shows healthy green tissue, patience is the best approach, as the tree is simply waiting for optimal conditions.