when should I move a crape myrtle, prune spirea?
Crape Myrtles are best moved in the spring before they leaf out. If they are already in leaf, the energy that would go toward producing roots goes to keeping the leaves alive, and this is way too much stress on the plant and the gardener. When transplanting the tree, remove twiggy and crossing branches to lessen the amount of growth the new roots have to support. Be sure to keep the newly transplanted tree well watered until it is established. On pruning the spirea, I am unsure as to what type of spirea you have so the long answer is: it depends on when the plant blooms. The spring blooming type, like Bridalwreath, should be pruned right after they flower, because they bloom on last year’s wood (old wood). Summer blooming types (like Little Princess) should be pruned in spring as they bloom on new wood (this year’s growth). Both blooming types can be deadheaded but only if you find them unsightly; otherwise leaving the spent flower heads is fine. To comment or submit a gardening questi
