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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The Hot, The Loud and The Proud! -- Ornamental Pineapple, Copperleaf and Magnolia

Welcome to my "The Hot, The Loud and The Proud!" post, a meme hosted by Noel at "A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii" . 

With my recent out of ordinary busy working schedule, I thought I won't be able to make it.  Yesterday when I came home, it surprisingly still had daylight, which was not normal recently.  When I was wandering in my garden, I found after all I might have something to share.

Here is the HOT red ornamental pineapple!  It has been blooming for a couple of month now, recently the red color of the bloom as well as the leaves intensified even more, which made it looking really hot.  Don't you think?

Ornamental Pineapple

Here is the LOUD copperleaf (Acalypha Wlkesiana ).  It lost all the leaves in this past winter due to the strange long lasting cold weather in South Florida.  Now it is coming back better than ever with its magnificent tri-color, really making a loud statement, "I AM BACK"!

Acalypha Wlkesiana (Copperleaf or Beafsteak)

Here is the PROUD, the white magnolia!  Oops, this is actually not in my garden.  It belongs to my working place.  I have been watching these flower trees for a while since they set the first bud.  Since I recently spent so much time at work, does it make me deserve to use it for this post?!

Magnolia bud

Magnolia flower in half open

 Magnolia flower in half open (Top view)

Magnolia flower in full open

 Even this flower only lasts two to three days after starting unfurling, the scent is just heavenly!  When it fully opens,  it is about 7 to 8 inches across.  I found even its stamens are so fascinating with that unique shape and the color!

YAY, I made it!

For other "The Hot, The Loud and The Proud" around the world, please found the links at Noel's site at http://aplantfanatic.blogspot.com/.