Crape myrtles and winter survival in zone 5/6?

I have crapes that the roots survived unprotected in the winter, and we had an exceptional colder winter than normal, but the tops died, they are small right now, they are also of the dwarf tree types which only get about 8 feet tall as bushy types and some tree types growth 10 feet. I have two hopis.one zulu (I think that is the name it just says zu One seminole, one ce and one vl.



if I cover the tops with mulch and burlap and secure them will the tops survive? the reason i am even trying is I know of mimosa trees around here, and I know a guy in akron who has a fiddle leaf tree in his backyard that is 20+ feet and he wraps it up tightly ever year and it survives. I already covered the tops



crapes are more winter hardy than figs arent they? what are the chances of a thick blanket of cypress mulch adn several layers of heavy burlap keeping the tops alive?





Thanks I have a microclimate too.

Crape myrtles and winter survival in zone 5/6?
I grow a small crepe myrtle in Michigan zone 5. Mine has never gotten as tall as yours. I cover mine with a Styrofoam rose cone. That limits mine to about 22" for the winter.



Mine does bloom in the fall.



I agree with the others about 'Zumi' as well. Yes, they seem to be hardier than figs. Although you can winter figs indoors.



Try using insulation, the Styrofoam kind. You really need to keep the air temp warm, burlap won't do it. Styrofoam will warm up in the sun shine, and retain it.



I hope that this helps

Good luck-
Reply:The zulu is probably the "ZUNI CRAPE MYRTLE

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Zuni'" and it will survive in USDA zone 6-9...

The SEMINOLE CRAPE MYRTLE

Lagerstroemia indica 'Seminole' will survive zone 7-9...probably border line in your area. I don't know what ce and vl are ?



Covering and mulching the root area is a good idea..but before you do you should trim down about 1/4 of the way down then cover with a good thermal plant blanket. Ask for it as your local nursery.
Reply:Here in Missouri in Zone 6b, crape myrtles survive with no problem at all, no winter cover or anything. Most years they survive just fine, once in a great while they do have some die-back but always regrow to their full height and bloom just fine. Further north, Kansas City, in Zone 5 for example, they are not as hardy and usually die back all the way to the roots, however usually coming back . There is a fine line with hardy and not hardy, but with sufficient winter cover you should be all right. If you are a solid zone 5 you are not going to keep the tops alive but that is not something to worry about as they are pretty much root hardy and regenerate each summer. They do leaf out rather late, usually not until well into May, so don't count it out if you don't immediately see any signs of life.

We have mimosa trees here and they are somewhat hardier than the crape myrtles, as their tops do not die back, tho even here sometimes we have a severe enough winter to hurt them. Remember when the weather starts to get mild, start taking away the cover gradually so that heat doesn't build up under it and start growth to early.