Poorly crepe myrtle

[Allan McBride]

We recently bought a home in New Orleans, Zone 9, where crepe myrtles flourish. Our new home came with a twenty five foot crepe myrtle in the front yard. Our neighbor has one also about same height and age about 25 feet separate them. However, it is mid July and his leaves are green and he has lots of flowers while mine are turning yellow with only a few flowers at the very top. I am wondering about fertilizer. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

 

[marlingardener]

Look up "Cercospora leaf spot" which may be causing the yellowing of the leaves. Don't worry--it isn't fatal and occurs when there is a lot of rain.
I can't recommend a fertilizer since we've never fertilized the three crepes we have. If it were my shrub, I'd leave it alone to recover, prune judicially when not in flower or when dormant, and make sure it had good air circulation.

 

[Chuck]

It could be a nutrition problem but unlikely. I have never fertilized mine in over 20 years. Crepes are prone to toxicity whether it be over fertilization or herbicides. If I were to guess I would say it is a watering issue or a drainage issue as I have had my trees turn yellow after prolonged rain

 

[Allan McBride]

It could be a nutrition problem but unlikely. I have never fertilized mine in over 20 years. Crepes are prone to toxicity whether it be over fertilization or herbicides. If I were to guess I would say it is a watering issue or a drainage issue as I have had my trees turn yellow after prolonged rain

It has been rainy but probably no more so than normal for New Orleans, and my neighbors tree, nor others in the area, are not suffering similarly.