Neil Sperry gives answers on kumquats, crape myrtle aphids/scale, shade lawn fixes with mondograss, dahlias vs. zinnias, and Asian jasmine.

A: A crape myrtle shedding bark is completely normal. Also referred to as 'exfoliating bark', this process simply reveals newer inner bark, often cinnamon red in color. This process can be more ...

With the first day of summer just past (where does the time go?), landscape work and maintenance should be in full swing. In short, if you fertilize, prune, trim, water, treat for insects, etc., that ...

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Environmentalists are warning about Richmond’s crape myrtle trees being attacked by a non-native invasive species called bark scale. The tree-damaging bugs have resurfaced and ...

DEAR NEIL: What is this black substance that’s coming from my crape myrtle, and what can I do to stop it? Dear Reader: This is a fungus called “sooty mold.” However, it’s a secondary issue and should ...

Crape myrtles, an ornamental tree popular in landscapes throughout the state of Delaware, are prized for their beauty, exfoliating bark in shades of silver and cinnamon, and long-lasting flowers in a ...

PROPOSAL FOR CASTING OUR FUTURE. A FAIRLY NEW INVASIVE SPECIES TO THE UPSTATE IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON CRAPE MYRTLE TREES. THAT’S RIGHT. AND HOMEOWNERS COULD SOON LOSE THEIR TREES IF THESE PESTS AREN ...

Crape myrtle trees are not native to Texas or anywhere else in the U.S., but they are great ornamental tree choices. Behaving themselves for the most part, they provide long-lasting summer color and ...

Since crape myrtles come in many sizes, choose the spot to plant so you can determine the height and spread of the shrub or ...

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a beloved choice for many North American gardeners, known for its stunning summer ...

Crape myrtles don't need much pruning to stay healthy. Trimming these trees at the right time can improve their bloom ...