Dear Gardeners,

My 15 year old c. myrtle has turned dark brown, particularly at the top. It's been watered, rained on etc. It's been healthy for 15 years and now it's turned dark brown and looks dried out. But it's not. It's still green under it's bark. Do you have any suggestions? They're some of my favorite plants. I appreciate your help. Mary Hughes from Texas.

Hi Mary,

I am assuming you mean your Crepe Myrtle? Is it planted in the ground or a pot? Can you possible take some photos to show us?

Mary, I wonder if your Crepe Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) might be turning brown due to weather changes? If you can upload a photo here, it will certainly help with investigating the issue.

Dear Friends,

I hate to admit it but I don't know how. I must swallow my pride and ask my husband to show me how. He's normally very sweet about my particular "questions" and murmurs something about me being electronically challenged. I'll see if he'll attempt to show me. If he will, you'll see the plants soon and me bragging how it really wasn't anything to it. Thanks to everyone. Mary H.

Mary-- You could check your Crepe Myrtle for scale. Looks like tiny
grains of white rice on the bark. Scale hit the DFW area 3 or 4 years ago. Do not know if it has gotten as far as you. Imidacloprid active ingredient works on scale. I found it as an ingredient in a Bayer for trees. It is a systemic treatment. There is a certain cycle on the tree when it is most effective. Many blessings to you!