"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. " ~Lindley Karstens

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Crape Myrtles and Magnolia Blooming

There are lots of Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) trees planted in the parking lot of my working place.  In the winter, these deciduous trees are nothing but bare sticks, but when they are blooming in the early summer through the fall, they really become a pleasant view for me every working day.

There are three different colors: White, light pink/lavender, deep pink. 

Lagerstroemia indica
Common name: crape myrtle
Family: Lythraceae






I love those big showy flower clusters at the top of the arching branches. 


I have been observing this tree for a while.  Do you notice there are two different colors (white and light pink) from the same tree?  I checked the trunk, and it doesn't seem to me there are two different tree trunks growing together.  Wondering what is happening...





At the same place, the Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' trees still continue blooming and spread their heavenly scent into the air.  Bees are crazy about the flowers too.  I can not help noticing every morning coming to the work, there are always some bees buzzing around the flowers.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Family: Magnoliaceae


There are more bees in the middle of the flower that I can not get into the picture.

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Thanks all for your warm encouraging comments left to my previous post!  I appreciate it very much!   I knew that is what I will get from all of you even before I posted it. We gardeners cheer for each other's success, and comfort each other when things do not go as what we wanted. That is what made this gardening world even more fascinating and enjoyable. 

I definitely will not stop experiencing the gardening fun.   I am sure you will continue witnessing my garden's  ups and downs through this blog.  Only I know I will be able to handle them better since I have so many supports from all of you.

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10 comments:

  1. Lovely photos ... the Lagerstroemia shots are just gorgeous! I do like the one that seems to be both pink and white ... unusual!

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  2. I love those bee pictures! I can imagine the fragrance of the magnolias drawing them in.

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  3. Beautiful trees! Crapes are trees that I hate in winter and adore in summer. They more than make up for those winter sins, don't they? Great shots of those bees! Magnolias are wonderful wildlife plants!

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  4. I have a Crape Myrtle tree in front of my house too. It was planted by our housing developer. Wow, how I wish I have such beautiful and fragrant magnolias in my own garden!

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  5. I have grown rather fond of crape myrtles... maybe instead of removing both of my parents like they wanted, I can convince them to keep the smaller, well behaved one that doesn't sprawl into the driveway. I'll just beat them to the severe pruning, but do a better job than they would so it keeps a good form. Thanks for the great photos!

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  6. My love for crapes has been renewed this year. I've added 4 of them to my garden.

    The ones at your work place are so full of those plumy blooms. I do love the light pink ones. And the magnolias are just an all-time favorite. They are still blooming and adding fragrance to the garden around here, too. The crapes and the magnolias are two stalwarts of a Florida garden. Thanks for the pretty photos.
    Meems

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  7. Hi Ami,

    I love both Crepe Myrtle and Magnolia. Both can grow here in the desert, but I agree with you that Crepe Myrtle is definitely not attractive in the winter ;-)

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  8. The Crapes are extraordinary. I have a knee high bush that is sposed to bloom pink. It has leaved back out from sticks but hasn't had any blooms as of yet.

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  9. Thanks all for the comments! I love crape myrtles as well, but my small garden just can not afford a tree that can not provide any interests in the winter except the bare sticks. So I guess I will continue enjoying these trees on the street and working place...

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  10. I like crepe myrtles in all seasons. If they are butchered (pruned) in that brutal way that results in knobs on the top, yes, that is ugly. But if they are allowed to grow into a graceful small tree, the trunks are absolutely stunning. Take another look this winter and see if you don't agree.

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