Pike Nurseries: Crape myrtles - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Pike Nurseries assistant manager and GGIA professional, Sal Chillemi, stopped by Good Day Atlanta on Friday to talk about crape myrtles. Crape myrtles are a southern classic, and are sometimes nicknamed Lilac of the South.

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 LINK : Pike Nurseries Website 

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE TO FIND OUT WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY!

Why a crape myrtle?
1. Anyone can grow a crape myrtle – no green thumb needed
2. Thrives in our heat and humidity
3. Needs very little water or care once established
4. They are guaranteed for life, like all trees and shrubs, when you purchase them from Pike Nurseries
5. Great flowering tree with blooms that last 2-3 months
6. Provides year-round beauty
7. In the winter, the bark exfoliates and is an interesting gray color

Where to plant a crape myrtle?
Crape Myrtles are very versatile
1. Two requirements: Full sun and well-drained soil
2. When planting, it's important to amend soil with Pike Planting Compost at a 50/50 ratio
3. Amending the soil breaks up our Georgia red clay so the roots can grow a little easier, and it also helps with moisture retention
4. Depending on the variety, they can grow to be anywhere from 2 feet – 30 feet tall
5. Depending on the variety of the crape myrtle, you can keep it at a certain height; they are easily pruned
6. Pruning should take place in January or February

Free class on crape myrtles is this Saturday at 10 a.m. at all Pike Nurseries locations. No registration is required.