Crape Myrtle new growth different color Hi everyone, I’m brand new to gardening and I recently planted a crape Myrtle with purple leaves. However, as it’s settled in, it has grown like crazy with long branches and green leaves. Is the different color normal and should I be pruning these branches? It looks like the leaves are getting some discoloration towards the tips.
The growth coming from the base of the tree is a called a sucker. These suckers are pruned back cleanly as close as possible to the trunk. I believe your tree was grafted and so the reason for the green growth. The top portion (purple leaves- often referred to as black diamond) was probably grafted to a different type of crape myrtle rootstock in order to achieve the standard upright topiary style tree that you have. Typically the rootstock is chosen for its hardiness and stature. So yes it’s normal if this is the case and suckers should always be pruned away 💚
3 likes Okay thank you! So anything under the graft should be pruned but the ones coming out of the middle are okay?
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