Nice podcast! I love crepe myrtles, but our zone 6 winters can be hard on them. Two back to back winters took its toll on my Pink Velour and Pocomoke. They are looking very sad right now. But I will keep trying because I love their late summer blooms!

Guidance from Stauffers of Kissel Hill garden center for growing crape myrtle in colder zones (e.g., zone 6B where Stauffers is located):

Winter protection: increase the mulch layer around the base of the plant to 4" to insulate the ground and roots from fluctuating temperatures.

"The most important care for crape myrtles is in early April while the plant is still dormant:

Move existing mulch away from trunk and stems, and apply Espoma Holly-tone following the recommended rate on the package for the size of the plant. Re-spread the mulch to cover the fertilizer at 2-3' depth.

To stimulate root activity and push the sap up in stems or trunks, apply Miracle-Gro solution at a rate of 4 scoops per 1 gallon of water. The amount you apply will vary from 1/2 gallon to 2 gallons, depending on the size of the plant. Apply 3 times at 7 day intervals."

Thanks for the info!

It is now July and is there anything I can do now (except spray for Japanese beetles) to help the poor thing along? Last year all existing limbs but one died over the winter and it started to come out from the roots last summer. This winter the remainder of the limbs died but iti s coming out from the roots again. Too late to fertilize? Will cover the roots with mulch this fall!