Why is this Crepe Myrtle crying?

Here in the South we are blessed with the presence of Crepe Myrtles everywhere.  They are easy to find in the nurseries and relatively easy to grow.  All you need is plenty of sun to ensure a good bloom.  The biggest hurdle most Crepe Myrtle owners face is how to prune them properly.  Rest assured, dear reader, that I will post frequently on the topic of Crepe Myrtle pruning.  For today, however, I simply want to illustrate the results of poor pruning.  As you can see in the picture, the plant appears to be weeping or drooping.  Why is that?

The results of poor pruning

When crepes are pruned heavily, they respond by re-growing with a vengance.  I have witnessed Crepe Myrtles grow four to six feet in one season.  And while this is remarkable, the problem arises when the plant blooms in July.  Rampant growth produces large blooms. Large blooms catch rain water and become heavy.  Heavy blooms can’t be supported by a six-foot stem and respond by bending, or ‘weeping’ over.  ”But it doesn’t look that bad, Russ,” you may say.  True, but it could look so much better, and be easier to manage in the winter.

Crepe Myrtles have an elegance and sophistication to them that is only seen when they are managed well.  A well-managed crepe myrtle is, first and foremost, planted in a good spot. It is surrounded by mulch of some sort, and it is pruned very, very little.  In fact, the older a crepe is, the less it needs pruning.

Anyway, I will show you what a well-managed crepe looks like…when I find one.  And I will certainly be posting more about pruning when it comes time to do this in the winter.