Friday, July 11, 2014

Colorful Crape Myrtle


Crape Myrtles are exploding with color here in Central Florida right now.



Everywhere we travel around town,
a sea of subtle hues greet us.
These lovely trees dot the landscape from
South Florida all the way up to northern Virgina,
with new varieties being created to withstand more northern conditions.
It seems everyone loves this fantastic bloomer.

In a spectrum of color ranging from crisp white
to deep, dark magenta blooms,
any homeowner can find the perfect shade to add to the garden.




Enjoying full sun, these beauties will keep the flowers coming
through the summer and even into the fall months.


   
Included in the list of Florida-friendly plants,
we have several growing 
in our low-maintenance backyard garden.
Bees and butterflies alike enjoy them almost year-round.




There are a few volunteers in our back bed that need transplanting.
I just love a plant that keeps on giving!


Crape Myrtles can be grown as a shrub,
or if well-pruned, make graceful trees,
allowing the handsome bark to be featured.

With moderate watering needed,
these trees are as easy to care for,
as they are to behold.



We were happy to spy them on vacation in North Carolina,
so we know that when we make our move,
we'll be able to grow them on our property there.
They add a welcoming feeling to any homestead.



Crape Myrtles are one of the best things 
about living in the South.


Here's an informative article about this Southern staple.







barnhopimage



Backyard Farming Connection







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10 comments:

  1. Daisy, I have heard of the Crape Myrtle but have never actually see one that I know of. I've only been to Florida once way back in the 1970s when the company I worked for sent me there to a school. It was near Fort Lauderdale during spring break for the colleges. Yeah, that was quite interesting. Crape Myrtle, from your explanation appears to be a versatile plant that could be either a scrub or a tree depending on how much maintenance a person wants to put into it. Our flowering trees here in Nebraska are short lived in the spring but do put on quite a show at least for a week or two. It's a welcome sight after the snows of winter have melted away.

    Have a great Crape Myrtle enjoying day.

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  2. Thanks for stopping by! I hope all is well in your garden.

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  3. So amazingly beautiful!! My elderberry bushes have gone from flowers to berries but now my daisies, rudbeckia, butterfly bush and purple coneflower are starting to open up. I adore all the colors!!

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    1. It sounds more like spring than summer there!

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  4. Hi Daisy! It's great seeing another central Florida blogger on here! :) I love crape myrtle too and seeing them bust out with growth after you prune them back is so fun to watch. :)

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    1. They add so much brightness to the garden!

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  5. Wow, so so pretty. They do grow here in Oregon, but it takes a bit of TLC to get them established. They're so dang pretty.

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    1. They are pretty easy to grow here in the south. Good to see ya!

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  6. Oh,Central Florida looks heavenly!
    xx
    Mila
    milawayable@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. The trees like the heat more than I do! ;0D

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Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts!