Gardening Ideas How To Plant a Crepe Myrtle with Success By Steve Bender Steve Bender Steve Bender is an award-winning author, editor, columnist, and speaker with 38 years experience as Garden Editor, Senior Writer, and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living magazine. Known as The Grumpy Gardener, he shares his horticultural wisdom with with Southerners and garden enthusiasts across the country. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 10, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Van Chaplin Our Grumpy Gardener gives his tips and tricks to planting crepe myrtles and making them last. 01 of 03 Step 1 Van Chaplin Be sure of the flower color and the mature size before you plant. Find a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Dig a hole about three times as wide as the root-ball. 02 of 03 Step 2 Photo: Van Chaplin Place the potted plant in the hole to make sure the hole is large enough. Check that the top of the root-ball is even with surrounding soil, and remove the pot. 03 of 03 Step 3 Photo: Van Chaplin Fill in around the roots with excavated soil, using your foot to firm it. Spread mulch 2 inches deep over the top. Water thoroughly using a hose, not a sprinkler. Find out everything you need to know about crepe myrtles with Our Crepe Myrtle Guide Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit