Shrubs - Dwarf Crape Myrtle
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  (January) Could you please tell me when is the correct time to prune Azaleas and Crape Myrtles?

  Prune only if needed. Azaleas should be pruned immediately after flowering. Crape myrtles should be pruned before new growth begins--typically late February through early March.

  I bought a dwarf crape myrtle plant this spring and it grew about three feet tall. That is as tall as I want it to get. Do I need to prune it to keep it short, or will this be as tall as it gets? When do I prune it if needed?

  There are numerous varieties of crape myrtles and height will vary with the variety. Most dwarf varieties shouldn’t exceed four feet in height, but they have been known to be much shorter, or slightly taller. The time to shear them back is in late February. This will take off the weak outer wood, (and any dead tips) and encourage a bushier plant, plus keep it the height you want. The only downside to dwarf crape myrtles, is they aren’t as attractive in the winter as their taller growing counterparts. The dwarfs tend to look like dead sticks.

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