Crape Myrtle and Gulfstream Nandina Question - Ask Extension
My crape myrtle has been impacted by the overnight freeze we had. It turned brown overnight. What happens in this situation? Will the leaves drop? ...
Knowledgebase
Crape Myrtle and Gulfstream Nandina Question #930951
Asked May 07, 2026, 2:52 PM EDT
My crape myrtle has been impacted by the overnight freeze we had. It turned brown overnight. What happens in this situation? Will the leaves drop? If so, when? Will it get new buds this year? Or is it done for the season.
Same thing happened with our Gulfstream nandina shrubs. Will they recover and if so, when will they get new foliage?
Thank you.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Both plants will probably recover, but it can take a badly-damaged plant several weeks to develop new growth points and expand new leaves. If neither has new growth on certain branches/stems by late May or so, then you can cut back the affected wood. Mature crapemyrtles that die back to the ground (such as when they're grown in New England or the Upper Midwest and winter damage is extensive), they regrow from the roots fairly easily. In that scenario, though, it will take them several years to regain their former stature.
The ongoing and worsening drought is not helping matters, so monitor them for watering needs, as producing new growth requires ample root moisture. You may need to water them periodically until rains become more regular. (Recent rain wasn't nearly enough to catch us up on the deficit.)
Miri
The ongoing and worsening drought is not helping matters, so monitor them for watering needs, as producing new growth requires ample root moisture. You may need to water them periodically until rains become more regular. (Recent rain wasn't nearly enough to catch us up on the deficit.)
Miri
