Crepe Myrtle Blooms Struggling

[Jredd42]

I planted a Purple Magic crepe myrtle about 5 weeks ago. It's been blooming beautifully until recently. The new buds are now drying up and wilting. Some appear to have a white powder look to them. I did some research about mold and mildew, since I live in Georgia, but didn't see pictures that looked like my myrtle. Not sure if that is the problem.
Also, some of the small branches are now bare, which is not how it looked when it was first planted.
Help!!

 

[Chuck]

It's normal. That's what happens after the blooms have done their thing. On my CM I have just had a bloom on about 1/2 of the tree, the top half. I see new green "bloom balls" all over the bottom half and nothing new on the top half. This is the first year the tree has done this.

 

[DirtMechanic]

I planted a Purple Magic crepe myrtle about 5 weeks ago. It's been blooming beautifully until recently. The new buds are now drying up and wilting. Some appear to have a white powder look to them. I did some research about mold and mildew, since I live in Georgia, but didn't see pictures that looked like my myrtle. Not sure if that is the problem.
Also, some of the small branches are now bare, which is not how it looked when it was first planted.
Help!!

Once the roots get going you will find you have a very vigorous plant on your hands. Especially if you try to dig it up.