Crepe myrtles are starting to flower and will provide a marvellous show of colour for more than three months.

They are at home in warm, subtropical climates or continental regions with hot summers.

They do well in poor soil and dislike being fed with rich manure or nitrogenous fertilisers - this sends them into a frenzy of leafiness and predisposes them to mildew.

A low-analysis complete organic fertiliser with additional potash applied once or twice a year, is suitable.

Crepe myrtles have a high requirement for potassium and other trace elements because regular surges of growth quickly deplete the soil of minerals.

High autumn foliage colour is accentuated by dryness and potash feeding.

Heavy pruning in the traditional style of an apple tree promotes replacement growth.

Modern "Indian Summer" crepe myrtles are a cross between two species and are regarded as resistant to powdery mildew.

The dwarf varieties, probably because their growth is less, require much less potassium and seem to show mildew only rarely.

Dwarf growing forms are not always freely available when you want them and now is the moment to do something about it.

Our grower has selected stock plants of most colours and we able to offer "Rob's Light Pink", "Rob's Cerise", "Rob's Purple", "Rob's Mauve" and "Rob's Hot Pink".

White is in short supply but we are pleased to offer the mediumheight variety "Acoma".

Heights of dwarf crepe myrtles vary, with "Rob's Purple" being the lowest and "Rob's Mauve" and "Rob's Light Pink" being taller - the others are in between.

Height is subject to pruning, which can be done at the end of flowering and again when frosts finish.

"Acoma" is regarded as a small shrub to 3 m tall; its habit is spreading and pendulous.

If plants are raised from seed it is impossible to know the flowering colours beforehand. It is therefore better to buy plants of known colours that have been vegetatively propagated.

Crepe myrtles resent transplanting in colder months, particularly as bare-rooted trees in winter.

They are best planted from pots at flowering time in summer.

Plants grown in northern Victoria make good growth during the heat of late spring and are ready to flower on young wood from now onwards.

- John Holder

Shepparton Garden Centre

535 Archer Rd, Kialla