Friday, July 6, 2012

Blooms You Can Count On...


No matter how hot and dry it gets during our summers there is always one thing I can count on and that is my beloved Crape Myrtles. Or Lagerstroemia for those of you that need the Latin name, I have to admit I’ve never been one to consider that to be important. If you know it’s a crape/crepe myrtle and you know the cultivar epithet you can find the plant you’re seeking.

I love these trees. I have 13 of them in my garden and if I had the room I would put more. True they do make a mess on the patios, but that’s easily swept away before company arrives. I think the blooms are well worth the trade off for the mess they can create. I also love the beautiful green leaves and bark colors. I don’t know the name of the one below it was at the house when I bought it and has probably been there since it was built in 1971.

DSC04643F


If you are considering putting these trees in your garden I would be right there rooting you on to do it. I do suggest you consider a little research before you buy though. With so many different colors and sizes you should be able to find the perfect one for whatever location you have in mind. This particular one is called ‘Zuni’. It only reaches about 9 feet in height. It has beautiful purple blooms and they usually last for about 100 days in my area even though the heat sometimes takes a toll as you can see in this picture.

'Zuni'

DSC04641F


‘Natchez’ has always been a favorite of mine and I can’t wait for it to reach its mature height of 30 feet. It will go a long way on providing me the much needed shade I want in the garden. My long term plan is to move to more lush, shade loving plants like hydrangeas, ferns and hostas in the garden. Its pretty white blooms will be with me for at least a couple of months as well.

'Natchez'

DSC04639F


If I judged my sizes correctly the canopy of these trees should eventually form a nice dapple shade over the garden. But I should still have pockets of sunshine for a few bright flowers for butterflies. This is ‘Tuscarora’; it can boast a height of almost 25 feet and beautiful coral pink flowers.

'Tuscarora'

DSC04634F


Last but not least is ‘Tonto’. Pretty fuchsia flowers and a nice taupe colored bark. It gets 12 to 14 feet high and starts to bloom about the last of June. Who wouldn’t love all these beautiful colors? Yet to make their appearance are the blooms of ‘Rosadao’. It should be starting its show in about another two weeks and I’ll post photos when it does. If you have a hot southern garden, then to me, these gorgeous work horses are a must have.

'Tonto'

DSC04633F

12 comments:

  1. I am with you about crepe myrtles. They are tough as nails. I was thrilled when a friend of mine gave me a start of one of hers. It has pink blooms like this last one you have shown. She didn't know the name of hers so I don't either. Mine isn't really tall but it has that beautiful bark about to develop. I love the way they look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa,
      That's one of the reasons why I chose them. They won't get huge and if one does happen to fall on the house it will be minimal damage. :0) I hope mine grow as planned.

      Delete
  2. Randy the day they make them hardy to Zone 5, I'm all in. Saw my first in bloom in Raleigh - so very beautiful. I've had myrtle envy ever since. I can see why you've got a collection, it would be hard to stop until you had all the colours.
    B.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know Barbara, I don't have a red one, burgundy or the peppermint one. Hmmmmmm, I might need to find some more room. ;0) You know you could grow the smaller variety into tree form in a pot? It would just need to go somewhere for a little protection during the winter.

      Delete
  3. Thirteen lovely crepe myrtles? I'm astonished as that is a lot and like you, I love them so much and would have that many as well if I could. They are lovely and in your Alabama garden a perfect tree!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina,
      I would really like to have some of the dwarf varieties as well.

      Delete
  4. Ah, Miss Myrtle is my favorite summer blooming tree! We have 12 planted along the street from the previous homeowners. They never bloom as they are at the edge of the woods and do not have enough sun light. What a shame but would cost us a fortune to have the woods cut back for them to bloom. And they are at least 11 years old so we cannot move them. So we just leave them be. In our landscapes we have 6 well established myrtles in shades of pink. We had to take 3 down last year when they became damaged from winds and a gully washing rainfall. They are now returning as bushes. I shall just let them be and grow as they desire. I added 3 Red Rooster Myrtles last year and 1 Purple Plum myrtle this year. As you see with us having 25, I cannot get enough of them. I just love those beauties…

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Randy, I love Crepe Myrtles ---and have never had one... Don't know why not!!!! My parents had a beautiful pink one in our yard --when I was growing up. Yours are fabulous!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming to see me, Betsy! Now go get you a Crepe for that gorgeous garden of yours. :0)

      Delete
  6. Randy,
    A most joyous and beautiful collection !!! And a very timely post for inspiration, since I now have some holes in the tree canopy. I think I will have to check into a few myrtles for around here. As always, thinks for all the inspirations. – gary

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello again Randy !
    I can't imagine having such beautiful colourful trees !
    The poor things would never make it here with our winters .. I do try to squeeze as many trees on our little lot as possible though .. trees give us so much pleasure .. can't imagine a garden with none for that special shade area we always want to plant those beautiful shade plants in !
    Joy : )

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another big fan of crape myrtles here! They love heat and drought doesn't seem to bother them.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving me a message! I enjoy every one that I get!