Question
I had a dwarf crepe myrtle planted last October.  The few leaves it had have since fallen off, and it is now the beginning of April.  Some of the other crepe myrtles in my condo complex are beginning to bud (leaves), but mine isn't.  When I test a tiny branch (i.e. bend it), it doesn't break, and seems to be green inside.  How can I tell if my crepe myrtle is dead or is just a late bloomer?

Answer
Mine here in Alabama are just now starting to bud out. Some around the neighbor have a few leaves out already. If the twigs are still green the tree is alive and just wait it will leaf out. Different varieties of Crept leaf out at a little different time.