Crapemyrtles- Flowering

Q: My crape myrtles have flowered and are dropping seeds. Can these be gathered and planted?

A: You won’t get a high percentage germination but since the seed are so numerous you can plant a hundred and be happy with the dozen that result. Collect the seed pods from branch tips and place in a paper bag. Keep dry and shake occasionally. Most of the seed will fall to the bottom of the bag. Plant them in a sunny bed next spring when soil temperatures are above 70 degrees, usually in late April. You’ll get a few sprouts by July. Fertilize lightly but don’t move them until the following spring, when they have stronger root systems.