My photographic adventure into the bloom-filled world of crape myrtle’s was joyful. They can be enjoyed, literally, everywhere you look. Hopefully, you will grow in your appreciation of these wonderful southern icons as much as I have over the past three weeks. Take time to admire their beauty while driving around the neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers and roadways of Dallas. May you be blessed with a moment of happiness while viewing my ‘Grand Finale’ of panoramic crape myrtle treasures!
Lush greenery and blooming white crape myrtle trees along turtle creekPretty In Pink Puts A Smile On Your Face A Border Of Fiery, Red Crape Myrtle’s – Van Alystene, TXMy Favorite ‘Canopy’ Photo Was Of This Big, Beautiful Lavender Crape Myrtle On The Children’s Playground At A Local Day SchoolAn intriguing combination – from two different environments
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Crape Myrtles are not native plants, but we take our opinion from the bumper sticker, “Not a native Texan but got here as fast as I could.” Crape Myrtles fit in with Texas water wise goals and some say that crape myrtles are a beneficial nectar and pollen source for honeybees, especially the lavender flowered varieties. The flowers, the fall color, the beautiful bark enhance Texas landscapes and many Texas gardeners, like me, embrace them.
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
Travel with me for a few minutes and you’ll understand why!
A long, long time ago (over 1,000 years or more) in a far away land (China) a lovely little ornamental tree was discovered. It was given the name “Pai Jih Hung” meaning hundred days red for its beautiful color and long bloom season. While another name sometimes used is “monkey tree”, monkeys could not climb the smooth, slippery trunks but, perhaps, they never stopped trying. Today we know it as the very familiar “Crape Myrtle”! (Lagerstroemia indica)
A lovely white crape myrtle at Raincatcher’s Garden is allowed to grow naturally
Over time, Crape Myrtles made their way to England and then around 1790 they were introduced to the United States. Cultivation has continued for over two centuries. The oldest known crape myrtle was planted in 1790 and is still blooming in Charleston, South Carolina.
And what about the spelling? Is it crepe or crape? Depending on the source, you’ll find it spelled either way. So, let’s move forward with “crape”. And the next question to answer is in regard to the meaning behind the name. There are more explanations than you can imagine but here is one that seems to offer a nice horticultural fit: the shedding bark is as thin as crepe paper and as crispy and curled as French crepes. Beyond that, the internet offers a lengthy list of botanical research that you might want to explore. For now, let’s just enjoy the beauty of these colorful trees that can be found blooming in the metroplex and throughout the southern United States.
From vibrant, fiery reds to a wide spectrum of pinks and luscious lavenders, crape myrtle flowers add a stunning splash of color to landscapes during the summer months. (All photos were taken within the metroplex over the previous two-week period.) Numerous stops along the way included everything from residential yards to churches, schools, and commercial sites.
Driving along the North Dallas Tollway, colorful blooms draping over unattractive concrete walls transformed the otherwise dull and drab roadway into something spectacular. (FYI…my husband was driving while I quickly snapped as many pictures as possible!) Crowded parking lots at grocery stores, restaurants, banks and drive-throughs seemed to share in the showy parade of magnificent color!
So, please enjoy my ‘necessary distraction’ of photos featuring a vast and diverse display of crape myrtles dotting the metroplex. These lovely trees provide interest and appeal whether used as a single specimen, in groupings of three, defining driveways or providing a privacy screen outside fences. They are especially striking when featured flanking stone walkways and steps in expansive landscapes.
From tiny bungalows to homes with rambling landscapes covering several acres, crape myrtles are ready to grace the south with their glory. Let’s celebrate this beautiful explosion of color gifted to us seasonally by the elegance of crape myrtle trees!
A few observations to share:
*Symbolism – While their crinkled flowers have a rich history, they are typically associated with marriage, chastity, good luck and prosperity.
*Placement – Crape myrtles thrive when planted in full sun and with ample space to grow and develop a large canopy. (However, as you can see from several photos, it is very common to see them planted in groupings of “three” which eventually become one giant canopy).
*Most used color – White, then pink, followed by lavender and finally that vibrant watermelon red. (My personal favorite, for now, is lavender)
*Most creative display – Crapes and Cactus! Not something that I would think to use together but in this setting it created an intriguing touch of drama. Very effective!
WHITE
Never mind all the wires, this cascading line of white crape myrtles is an eye-catcherSentinels on Guard! Attention, Salute!Three-In-A-Row For Drive-Up Drama! A single trunk spectacleA burgandy-leaved white crape myrtle adds bold color to the Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills
PINK
Nestled in the corner of a wooded lot, this pale pink crape myrtle adds a little sparkle to the backdrop of greeneryPretty in Pink Along the FenceDeep Pink Crape Myrtle in a Shopping CenterA Welcoming Entrance of Three Crape Mayrtles at Grace Bible Church
LAVENDER
A Manicured Evergreen Hedge Provides Structure For This Grouping Of Lavender Crape Myrtle’sKeep Your Eyes On The Wheel When Sneaking A Peek At This Lavender Crape Myrtle In The Median On Midway RoadThis Lavender Crape Myrtle at the Entrance to a Local Children’s School is My Favorite ‘Canopy’ Photo“Stop And Stare” – This Stunning Lavender Crape Myrtle Is Electrifying Against The Azure Blue SkyA Drool Worthy Lavender Crape Myrtle In Bluffview
RED
Hopefully, Whoever Builds On This Vacant Lot Will Include This Lonely Red Crape Myrtle In Their PlansWelcome To The SMU Campus!Red, White and Blue, We Celebrate You.Just A Quick Stop Was Made To Capture This Pretty Grouping Of Red Crape Myrtle’s On Inwood RoadMesmerizing!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
There is something transformative about walking under an arbor. It is a marker for some kind of change, possibly an entrance to a new space, or a transition from one area to another— One thing for sure, is that an arbor sets the space apart. Arbors come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. It’s difficult to understand all the work that goes into putting up an arbor–Only when you see it unfold before your very eyes will you fully see the scope of the project. Thanks to all who take the time, make the plans, and see it to its final position in the garden.
At Raincatcher’s we’ve been reworking an arbor that was first constructed in 2012 as an Eagle Scout Project at Joe Field, a previous Dallas County Master Gardeners site. changes came and we relocated in November of 2014 to Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills. It was reassembled at the entrance to the North Field Pollinator Garden in 2015.
Arbor reassambled late 2015, notice the stark contrast between these 2 pictures. Our pollinator garden was just beginning.The 2015 pollinator friendly arbor with crossvine flurishing on the right and coral honeysuckle on the right.
This arbor served faithfully for several years, supporting multiple kinds of vines, such as passion vine (host plant for gulf fritillary butterfly), crossvine, coral honeysuckle and others added a touch of shade, some color, and best of all, the attraction of pollinators. In 2024(after about 12 years), the elements contributed to the deterioration of portion of the structure. Some of the original posts remained and were used in the new arbor.
Dallas County Master Gardeners and Raincatcher’s project specialists, Jon Maxwell (class of 2015 and Joe Labay (class of 2008) put a redo of this arbor on the to-do list. . Work began in January 2025 – first, devising a plan, then acquiring materials, and then came execution. This entailed many little things that made big differences, such as , measuring twice, or 3x if needed, so they cut once; leveling the wood and adjusting yet again. The original design was enhanced for functional and aesthetic purposes, the base was reinforced in concrete to better withstand the weather; more slats were added to the top, and the posts and beams leveled and adjusted numerous times.
Teamwork in action as speacialists measure and asemble the new arbor at Raincatcher’s.One more step in arbor reconstruction with the goal of enhancing our garden.Jon and Joe, our dedicated volunteers!
It was meticulously assembled after measuring, sanding, painting and placement. Finishing touches included grading the walkway, mulching, adding decomposed granite, placing stepping stones and adding a brick border to complete this garden work of Art. The project took about 5 months, partially due to only meeting once a week on Tuesday mornings. At times, other issues took precedence, or weather altered plans. It has been well worth the wait!
Interns assisted Jon and Joe with border and stone placement around entrance.Awaiting the finishing touches-decomposed granite, stepping stones and the brick border.Voila! French for Texan speak – here it is!
We at Raincatcher’s are grateful for the commitment and expertise of Jon and Joe to make this beautiful arbor a reality.
It is a statement piece that welcomes everyone to walk under it and into a pollinator paradise. Come and stroll through the garden and check it out! We have workers at the garden on Monday mornings and Tuesday mornings; pollinators are more frequent. See you soon!
Starla Willis, DCMG class 2011, Jon Maxwell, class 2015, and Joe Labay class of 2008
Constructive tips:
* Use the best quality materials you can afford. The better the materials, the longer it is likely to last. Cedar is a better choice than treated lumber. Treated lumber, especially the 4×4 posts tend to warp badly unless thoroughly dry, which are hard to find at the box stores. Cedar, while more expensive, will last longer and will not warp. If treated lumber is chosen based on cost, be sure to prime and stain it immediately upon installation.
* Using materials from the existing arbor may save on the costs, but not necessarily time.
* Plan on it taking longer than you expect —projects have a way of evolving.
Starla Willis, DCMG class of 2011, Jon Maxwell, class of 2015, and Joe LeBay class of 20
Meet the 2025 Pollinator of the year, the Hoary squash bee.
As much as I love bees, the squash bee has escaped my notice. Thankfully, pollinator.org has selected this bee as its 2025 pollinator of the year.
Honey bees are generalists while squash bees rely almost exclusively on squash and gourd pollen to feed their young. They are expert foragers on the squash blossoms of pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, zucchini and gourds of the Cucurbita Family.
Squash bees are large and bulky like bumblebees, but are more similar to honeybees in their coloring. Compared to honeybees, they have rounder faces and longer antennae.
Sunrise is the best time to be in our Texas gardens and that’s when you might find a male squash bee darting from squash flower to squash flower in search of mates. The females are busy pollinating and build undergound tunnels to store squash pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Why do we need to focus on pollinators?
Our efforts make a difference, and pollinators need our support. I have read that one in three bites of food can be attributed to the work of our pollinators. There is a lack of interest in backyard biodiversity and planting to provide for pollinators. Miles of boxwood bushes and plastic lawns do nothing for bees or butterflies. Even flowers like periwinkles do not provide pollen, so we need to be more intentional and protective of pollinators and select and provide for them. Doug Tallamy reminds us” plants are not just for decoration, plants are vital ecological entities that do so many things.”
Start small, your backyard can become an oasis for you and our pollinators. If you need help, call a Master Gardener or visit our garden, The Raincatcher’s Garden, at 11001 Midway Road in Dallas. There are many good books and native plant lists available.
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
To learn more about honeybees, one of our favorite pollinators, buzz over these articles.
The famous words refer of course not to a person but to the V8 Ford. Just out for a bit of fast driving–those were different days–gas was so cheap and all and the roads less crowded. But now the lesson. The Ford going as fast as it can is passed by Madeline in a Coupe deVille!!
Let’s leave it there for a bit.We need to get back to gardening
In your work at the Master Gardener projects do you get the feeling you must work hard non stop. Do you feel like you couldn’t possibly enter hours for volunteering which weren’t totally filled with your hard best effort?
Lisa collecting seedsVolunteer hard at work in The Raincatcher’s Vegetable GardenJoe and Jon constructing the Raincatcher’s pergola
Do you ever feel that no matter how hard you are working its not quite good enough and maybe others are working harder–or better?
Do you ever feel that even though you do feel you are working hard that what still needs doing seems endless?
Master Gardeners hard at work, tending to the compost.Dedication, hard work and nurturing!Garden labor makes a difference.
Is there ever a feeling of discouragement that creeps in before you even start to work ?
Sometimes we need to take a step back and do a little thinking.
We all need to find fun and joy in your garden work or honestly what is the point?
We need to work hard–yes! But we also need to take little breaks. Sure we need to rest or backs–and knees –and hips–we could go on and on. But also to rest our minds and spirits. We need to take time to connect with our friends–and maybe make some new ones. We need to look around and forget about the weeds for a few minutes and see the beauty and the good things.
Alot needs doing–it does but chances are those things aren’t going anywhere–take time to think about what has been done. Realize and appreciate that our work makes a difference to the garden–to others–and to ourselves.
The physical breaks are essential. The mental ones are too.
Sharing the joy of new plants.Lunchtime at the garden!Master Gardeners taking a well deserved break!
Without breaks–without connection to others–without appreciate and joy the whole point of gardening is lost.
With these breaks we can keep going while avoiding unnecessary injury or worse yet–burnout.
We all know people that it has happened to. Let’s not let it happen to us
Naturally we must end by going back to the V8 Ford.
Remember what happened–a little break–a little water–and ” she caught Madeline at the top of the hill”
Now we cant go too far with this lesson.
Madeline sounds like a bad girl who isn’t going to change so the catching may be a waste–all the Ford’s hard work too.
But we can change we can take time to rest-recharge–rethink-and keep the joy in gardening and in our lives.
Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
It happens every season. Our gardens give us a show-stopping presentation and then, poof, it’s over! So, what’s a good way to prepare for the transition? My advice, let the garden inspire you.
How about an artful arrangement of garden gifts for a dinner party buffet centerpiece?
A simple white ceramic pitcher was the perfect vessel for displaying the following “end of season” blossoms and greenery. Once completed, it had become a tapestry of seasonal beauty.
Cilantro in its “bolting” stage, curly and flat-leaf parsley, radish leaves, beet leaves, cornflower (bachelor’s buttons) and lots of blooming oregano stems for “filler”. A sprinkling of German Chamomile lightened the look. Guests were mesmerized by the natural beauty that a “fresh from the garden” look offered. Some couldn’t resist sampling a few sprigs!
A few days following our buffet dinner, the delightful arrangement was carried outside to be composted. As one master gardener remarked, “this is liquid gold for the compost bin!” I agree!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
What a great plant larkspur is. Coming up from the seeds of last springs plants–living all winter as little fluffy greenery and suddenly growing tall and blooming before most other flowers.
Winter can be a challenge but finding the tiny larkspur seedlings and thinking of whats to come lifts the spirits. What a bonus that they honestly do not need a great deal of help from the gardener to grow and thrive.
As with most self seeding plants they come up where they wish to and may require some editing. If they are too crowded they won’t be their best so don’t hesitate to thin out the smaller ones. This will allow the remaining plants to grow tall. This adds structure to the spring garden. The color honestly goes with everything. Pink poppies–nigella–combined with the blues and purples of the larkspur–its a picture waiting to be painted–at least admired by you and anyone lucky enough to pass by.
Watch carefully larkspur is a magnet for native bumblebees. As we know bumblebees have been struggling. Seeing so many enjoying the larkspur makes growing them worthwhile in itself.
But wait–there is more!! When you grow larkspur you are growing a plant that has been grown by gardeners for hundreds of years. The Victorians were very fond of them–they were popular gift flowers.
In medieval times they were grown in monastery gardens. These gardens had to be useful not just beautiful.
Now–lets pause–important information will follow: all parts of larkspur are toxic. Do not consider internal use. But its great to know that people tried their best to help and use what they saw around them. Potions were made to treat a variety of problems including depression and anxiety. The seeds were used to make a solution to kill lice. That had to be a welcome relief as lice were a horribly common problem. In fact this use continued for a long time –soldiers used it during the revolutionary war..
The flowers can be used to make a dye and were used by the monks to make a blue ink.
So think of all those before you as you work in your garden–and remember you are a link in this long chain. Remember yes–but as always–there is more.You obviously must let the plants finish their blooming and go to seed–yes this can be a bit untidy but its essential. Lots of seeds will fall and they will lie in wait until next winter when the cycle starts again. But don’t let them all fall–gather some seeds.
Share some seeds with friends and neighbors–answer their questions about how to grow larkspur.
So the chain that links the plant and the gardener to the distant past will extend into the future–and you are and will be a link in that chain.
Larkspur and Poppies far better togetherLarkspur comes in white, this one has tinges of lavender look closelyThis one might be more lavender than whiteBe tolerant. A few larkspur in a vegetable bed is hardly a problem-in fact it is healthyNotice the variation in color, this one is very dark purple.This one is a bit lighter and blooms close to a tall verbena.Amazingly intricate flowersThe foliage is lovely itself- so delicate!A bumblebee, look close-they love larkspur.
Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Starla and I decided to post a few of our favorite things from past plant sales. Save May 1, 2025 for an extradoinoary plant shopping experience at The Raincatcher’s annual plant sale.
Location: Midway Hills Christian Church ,11001 Midway Road,Dallas, Texas 75229
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
10 AM – 3 PM
Great selection of annuals, perennials, herbs and veggies, succulents and sedums, tropicals and house plants, shrubs and trees, groundcovers, bulbs and irises grown by the intrepid Raincatchers volunteers.
Bears Breeches-the green leafy plant by the japanese maple, a Starla purchase from The Raincatcher’s plant sale.Phlox, John Fanick purchased several years ago-now a hedge of beauty.Scented Rose Geranium-we will have these again this yearVariegated Artemesia, lovely fillerYucca in bloom, this has trippled in size since purchased.This palm and the pot cost $8. It has flourished.
All proceeds go to Dallas County Master Gardener projects.
Thank you for supporting Raincatchers’ Garden.
.
Ann Lamb and Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardeners class of 2005 and 2008
Carrots are not the easiest thing to grow in our part of the world. Our past efforts resulted in lower yields than we had hoped.
This year we tried something different. We placed burlap over the area we had just planted and sprinkled it once a day to keep it moist until the seeds had germinated.
We usually water other seeds by hand once a day until they germinate but that didn’t satisfy the carrots. Soaking the burlap daily provides the continuous moisture they need for a good germination rate.
There was a hard freeze during the germination period. We left the burlap in place and covered the area with frost cloth.
We were concerned that the seedlings would stick to the burlap when we removed it but that was not a problem.
The germination rate was excellent and after a few weeks we had many delicious carrots to share with the NDSM food pantry and visiting preschoolers. Next year we will confidently devote more space to carrots using this technique.
Harvesting, photo by Ruth Klein
Prepping for NDSM food pantry, photo by Beverly
Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2018
We are enjoying the mild weather and it appears the vegetables are too. Last year was productive both in vegetables donated and new lessons learned. We came pretty close to doubling our yield from the previous year (from 966 to 1833).
The tatume squash was the star producer with 727 pounds donated to North Dallas Shared Ministries. We would have had more but the stink bugs cut the harvest short by a few weeks.
We left a large volunteer hybrid squash in place as a trap crop for squash vine borers. An infestation of stink bugs quickly followed the borers on this weakened plant and spread to the tatume despite our best efforts to control them. This led to the early demise of our tatume plants and many long sessions of spraying soapy water to rid the garden of stink bugs. We are grateful to the Master Gardener interns and new volunteers who kept working with us despite this challenging (and frankly, gross, infestation).
The best advice for controlling stink bugs in small gardens is to remove the eggs and nymphs as soon as they can be found. They can be brushed off into soapy water or vacuumed. We missed some early opportunities but ultimately were able to get it under control in time for fall vegetables.
Image of brown marmorated stink bug eggs and nymphs from stopbmsb.org
Learning to identify stink bug eggs and nymphsTatume squash harvest in JuneCrop loss in July
Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardener class of 2018
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 