Tag Archives: nature

THE SPRING TO DO LIST—-REVISITED

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

March 10, 2026

This time of year is a busy one. Its a time of new growth and new plans for the future.

For gardeners it often involves visions of “THE BEST GARDEN EVER’.

That tends to be a wonderful few minutes. The beauty and well yes the envy of all who see it may play a part too. One can see the modest acceptance of complements and all quite clearly.

But then comes the realization that ‘THE BEST GARDEN EVER’ Will be a lot of work and the work has to start now.

So obviously the to do list must be started. It can be simple but sadly can get complicated with systems of checks columns headings –must buy a new notebook of course–it can get out of control.

Now there is a lot of good in the list It helps to have a plan and a list of tasks and even a system of checks can be ok .

But remember it’s not helpful when it becomes a goal in itself and checking things off becomes the focus of the day.

Time for a rethink

First note–your old notebook is ok–really and you most likely do not need to draw lines and decide on what color ink would work best.

Next think small and simple. –if the task is Weed the garden–that is way too much and too vague to help weed one bed or even half of one is doable and useful

Plant a tree in the middle of the garden–well maybe this needs breaking down into what to do today–maybe decide on exactly what tree would work in your space.

But more important by far is realizing that your list is for results in the future. Now of course you can’t ignore them. Weeds will ruin the garden if you don’t get them out.

There will never be a tree in the garden if it isn’t planted

However we must not ignore the present. The tasks are endless and yes they must be done but don’t let them keep you from enjoying your garden now.

Gardeners just tend to be people who take the work hard now for results later as an absolute rule. As we just said we have to do this –yes we must and its alot of time consuming work.

But also we are not promised anything but the present–this very day and hour! We must remember this and think about it and practice what it teaches us.

So yes have a list move those sticks out of your garden. Pull those weeds and plant something wonderful.

But take time to see the pale green of the new foliage as it emerges. Look and take pictures of the early flowers–its ok to notice how lovely weed flowers are–right before you pull them up!! Listen to bird song and the buzzing of the bees.

This is absolutely as important as the planting and pulling–PUT IT ON THE TO DO LIST —AT THE VERY TOP!!!

Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Garden Chores for March

Save the date for the RAINCATCHERS’ ANNUAL PLANT SALE 2026 : SATURDAY, MAY 2nd

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

11001 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75229

Leave a comment

Posted in Spring and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener Association, flowers, garden, gardening, nature, plants, Raincatcher's Garden, spring garden chores, Spring maintenance. Bookmark the permalink.

Winter Foraging for Honeybees

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 20, 2026

Have you noticed an absence of honeybees in your winter garden? If so, maybe it’s time to add a few flowers that will survive our seasonally cooler temperatures. When other food sources seem to dwindle, consider providing some late-season fuel for bees to build a winter supply of honey for the hive. FYI…Honeybees need about 50 -100 pounds of honey to last the entire winter!

Look closely and will you see four honeybees just on this one bunch of broccoli blossoms. It was amazing to observe literally dozens of honeybees at a time working nonstop to gather nectar for the hive. The benefits of letting one of the broccoli plants in my raised bed flower was to provide a food source for the bees. Also, the open flowers and leaves are still edible and can be used in salads or for sauteing. (Spinach salad topped with purple broccoli florets and blossoms.)

Hellebores provide sweet nectar for energy and protein-rich pollen to honeybees during the winter months. Honeybees visit daisies because they offer lots of pollen. This helps to feed developing larvae.

Starting in late fall and early winter, honeybees spend hours foraging for both nectar and pollen from the Farfugiums around our Koi pond. Every morning and continuing until late afternoon honeybees can be found buzzing among the Farfugiums bright yellow flowers when other blooms are scarce. Calendula flowers contain a significant amount of pollen and nectar per flower, making it a great plant for attracting pollinators.

As blossoms started appearing on our Leatherleaf Mahonia in early January, honeybees began actively foraging for both nectar and pollen on the fragrant clusters of yellow flowers.

We would love to hear from our readers about other ideas and ways you are helping the honeybees during wintertime. Let’s do our part to provide blooms that ensure bees can gather enough food to sustain themselves while increasing their chances of surviving winter and thriving into spring. Here are some important reasons why winter blooms are essential:

*Food Scarcity: Winter and early spring are lean times for honeybees; most flowers are dormant, leaving bees without food.

*Energy and Protein: Nectar provides carbohydrates for energy, while pollen offers essential protein; both are needed for colony health and growth, even in winter.

*Colony Survival: Adequate food stores are critical for bees to survive the cold months, making fall and winter foraging vital for building reserves.

Enjoy this short video illustrating how tirelessly honeybees work to maintain a healthy hive!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

1 Comment

Posted in Winter and tagged beekeeping, Bees, farfugium, Honey, honeybees, mahonia, nature, nectar plant, winter foraging for honeybees pollen. Bookmark the permalink.

Winter Garden

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 1, 2026

Winter is officially here! The winter solstice has come, leaves have finally turned and fallen, and the Frost Weed has frosted. Never mind that we are alternating between sweaters and shorts. It is winter in the garden. Many older gardening books speak of closing down or putting a garden to bed for this season, but like children waiting to see the New Year arrive at midnight, our landscapes are not truly snoozing.

Our deciduous trees stopped producing chlorophyll. This let us see and enjoy their yellow carotene colors that were previously hidden, instead of just greens. The gorgeous reds and pinks seen across Dallas this year remind us that our autumn was dry, sunny, and certainly stayed above freezing, the conditions needed for the productions of anthocyanins. The mix of colors this year was constantly changing and quite stunning.

But now these trees are bare (my sister refers to them as stick trees) and this slimmed down profile helps to protect them and their branches from wind, snow, and ice. But those lovely leaves still have so much to offer, in one form or another across just about every landscape.

One use involves shredding leaves. This allows us to add that temperature modulating 3–6-inch layer of mulch around our trees and shrubs, or 2-3 for our flowers. That blanket is really appreciated by any newly planted perennials as they settle into their new homes. Extra shreds are perfect for composting. Whole leaves between rows in the vegetable garden keep our feet dry and relatively mud free, while they discourage pesky weeds.

But consider the advantages of doing nothing at all in much of your flower beds and lawns, leaving even a small section of your landscape undisturbed, with plant stems untrimmed and fallen leaves where they fall this winter. Those stems and leaf litter house the insects that will populate, pollinate, and protect our plants next spring. Leaf blowers, rakes, snippers, shredders, and compost heat destroy the habitat our beneficials need this season.

Not all our garden friends headed further south with the monarchs and hummingbirds. They have deployed many clever techniques to survive until spring and summer. Some insects are sheltering in stems, others have headed underground, and some have taken the ‘get small’ approach by wintering as eggs. Cleaver swallowtail butterflies produced their own antifreeze, turning sugars to glycol as an added layer of protection for chrysalis wintering in their cocoons. Despite appearances, life has not deserted our landscapes.

And in our pollinator gardens most especially, we want those insects to survive, to continue to play their garden roles. A fascinating study of the effects of removing autumn leaves can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004565. To support our diminishing populations of butterflies, bees, beneficial of all kinds, please consider how you can support them as they winter in our yards and gardens. While I don’t want to offer my house as a winter vacation getaway for arthropods and arachnids, I do want them year-round in my landscape outside.

Mary Freede, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

Leave a comment

Posted in Winter and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener, Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Dallas County Master Gardeners, dallas gardens, flowers, garden, gardening, gardening-tips, nature, overwintering, The Raincatcher's Garden, why we leave leaves in the garden, Winter care. Bookmark the permalink.

Jewels of Opar

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

November 3, 2025

My Jewels of Opar is in a mostly shady area. Next spring, as new plants emerge, they will be relocated to a place in my garden that receives full sun until late afternoon.

In May of 2021, we shared an article with our readers about Jewels of Opar, a lovely plant that is both edible and ornamental. Click here for the original article which includes helpful growing information.

This time, we’ve chosen to “drop in” for a quick autumn visit showcasing this adorable little beaded wonder in full bloom. You may remember that Jewels of Opar, sometimes referred to as Pink Baby-Breath, produces wands of tiny, pink star-shaped flowers followed by jewel-like fruits in shades of pink and orangish red.

Enjoy this photo of a simple arrangement filled with Roselle Hibiscus leaves gracefully surrounding Jewels of Opar in its colorful autumn wardrobe!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Leave a comment

Posted in Perennials and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Dallas County Master Gardeners, dallas gardens, flowers, garden, gardening, nature, plants, The Raincatcher's Garden. Bookmark the permalink.

A Wave of Purple Haze

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

October 16, 2025

If you’re like me, a baby boomer who graduated from high school in 1967, the title above might suggest something other than what I’m going to write about. Yes, the song “Purple Haze” written by Jimi Hendrix came to mind one hazy, overcast afternoon as I was taking photos and working in my garden. I don’t remember the words and really never fully understood the reason for the title but it wasn’t difficult to find the answer.

Jimi Hendrix, a brilliant guitarist, wrote the song on December 26, 1966, while backstage at a club in London. The inspiration came from a vivid dream he had after reading a science fiction novel. In the dream, Hendrix finds himself walking under the sea when a purple haze surrounded and engulfed him. And from that experience his iconic song “Purple Haze” (later discovered to be to be about a woman he loved) changed rock music forever.

Putting this into perspective as it relates to that quite afternoon in the garden, my own sensory moment of feeling “engulfed” by the color purple had nothing to do with walking underwater. It was the sheer beauty of being surrounded by a sea of purple flowers in full bloom. Honeybees, by the hundreds, were so busy visiting the blossoms that I quietly paused just to listen to the familiar buzzing sound bees make when foraging for nectar and pollen. I was reminded, once again, how time spent in the garden brings unexpected joys.

Hopefully, you will appreciate my “Purple Haze” experience and the lovely flowers in varying shades of purple and blue that gave me the opportunity to share it with you!

Here are some of the flowers and plants featured in the video. You’ll see a selection of many within the purple/blue range that have been growing in my garden over the past five to six months:

Ageratum

American Beauty Berry

Angelonia

Anise Hyssop

Aster

Basil (African Blue, Balsamic Blooms, Cardinal, Red Rubin)

Blue Borage (a favorite of honeybees)

Butterfly Bush

Celosia

Clary Sage

Eggplant Blossoms

Foxglove

Impatience

Lavender

Pentas

Perilla

Petunias

Periwinkles

Phlox

Rose of Sharon (Blue Satin)

Sage (in bloom)

Veronica

Wisteria

Zinnias

Why, you might ask, designate so much garden space for flowers in the blue/purple spectrum?

*I’ll offer a few answers, but, most importantly, is that honeybees are highly attracted to these colors and see them more clearly than other hues. Flowers in this range signal to the honeybees higher nectar production. For this reason alone, gardeners focused on pollinator-friendly flowers should try to include blue and purple flowers in the landscape whenever possible.

*Looking a little deeper into the psychology of color, studies have shown that blue lowers cortisol while purple stimulates creativity and inner calm. In our gardens, these colors not only provide beauty but help to nurture our mental well-being.

*And finally, from a landscaping perspective, click on the link to Longfield Gardens for an in-depth guide on using purple in your flower garden. You will be inspired to get started!

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Dallas Perennials, flowers, garden, gardening, Native Plants, nature, purple flowers. Bookmark the permalink.

DALLAS WATER UTILITIES 31st WATER WISE GARDEN TOUR OCTOBER 18, 2025

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

October 14, 2025

Every fall, I look forward to one of my favorite garden tours—The Water-wise Garden Tour hosted by Dallas Water Utilities and the city of Dallas. There are several smaller organizations that participate, some giving lectures at the White Rock Pump Station (the traditional starting point of the tour). That’s where one picks up the map showing the location of the participating “winners” of this year’s tour. I know in years past Dallas County Master Gardener’s Association has been both entrants and support staff. I’ve lost track of how many years Roger and I have wandered through Dallas, looking at peoples’ interpretation of what water-wise gardening entails.

Years ago, A&M Research Center on Coit Road had a program called Water University. They had examples of homes with all sorts of saving water inside and outside the home. We learned about Rainwater harvesting: how to build rain barrels for the home, rain gardens, etc. All of which we demonstrated at our Joe Field location (thanks to County Commissioner M. Dickey).

Rain barrel courtesy of Water University

When the county closed that location in 2014, we found a new home at Midway Hills Christian Church, located at 11101 Midway Road—thus our name “The Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills.” This rain garden is located near the street on Midway Hills, next to the two cisterns that were put in place shortly after we started gardening there. This noncommercial rain garden would work in most home landscapes. It captures water from heavy rains and is also used to catch overflow from the cisterns.

*2-2500 gallon water cisterns at The Raincatcher’s Garden*

Although our garden is not on tour this year, feel free to visit us at 11101 Midway Road in Dallas, especially on Tuesday mornings when we are working in the garden. We love to share water saving tips.

Water Wise Garden Tour maps of the participating homes will be available at the White Rock Pump Station on Saturday and the information link can be found below.

Some yards or gardens use xeriscaping, while others have lush lawns and gardens. There are innovative uses of hardscaping.

On the 18^th, I am playing tourist to get more ideas about saving water and creating a beautiful yard at home. I always find some new idea to take home to try out.

Hope to see you on the tour. Be sure to take notes or, better yet—pictures!

Cindy Bicking, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2006

Pictures by Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011

Water Wise Tour Information

Leave a comment

Posted in rainwater harvesting and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener Association, flowers, garden, gardening, nature, rain cisterns, Raincatcher's Garden, travel, Water Utilies Water Wise Tour-Dallas. Bookmark the permalink.

“How lovely yellow is! It stands for the sun.”-Vincent Van Gogh

Posted on September 29, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 29, 2025

Along with Van Gogh, who described yellow as “wonderful”, many people associate yellow with feelings of warmth, happiness and positivity. And still others say that yellow’s vibrant, cheerful color evokes feelings of joy, optimism and enthusiasm.

Yellow is one of the oldest colors in history. Cave paintings over 17,000 years old reveal that the yellow pigment from ochre was readily available in prehistoric times. In ancient religions, yellow was considered a sacred color. Like gold, yellow was seen as eternal, imperishable and indestructible. Today, yellow flowers are used in gardens across the globe adding vibrancy and beauty to landscapes in a multitude of imaginative ways.

From the dainty blossoms of French marigolds to the dramatic trumpet-shaped beauty of squash blossoms, yellow flowers add brightness to the garden. And don’t overlook the decorative nature of edibles such as yellow pear tomatoes dangling in clusters like drops of sunshine clinging to the vine.

Whether edible or just enjoyable, bright yellow flowers, fruits and vegetables have a magical way of lighting up our landscapes. Additionally, those radiant blooms attract a host of beneficial pollinators to the garden including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. So, why not add some late September sunshine to your garden? Let the video photos inspire you to create a natural environment filled with yellow for all to enjoy!

Top Ten Yellow Flowers and Vegetables (Observed/Photographed) in the Metroplex:

Echinacea and Rudbeckia/Black Eyed Susan (Both plants are sometime referred to as “coneflowers” but Rudbeckia is widely known as a “Black-Eyed Susan”)

Main Differences:

*Echinacea flower petals tend to droop and curve downwards. Echinacea features a spiky, prominent central cone that may be green, brown or orange. Leaves are typically smooth.

*Rudbeckia petals usually extend straight out from a flattened or slightly raised central cone. Leaves are described as hairy or fuzzy.

(Rudbeckia ‘Sunbeckia’ Juliana)

Zinnias
Sunflowers
Daylily
Hibiscus
Cannas
Lantana
Yellow Pear Tomatoes
Cucumber and Yellow Squash Blossoms
Marigolds and More (Day Lilies, Calendula, Canna, Dill, Fennel, Gerbera Daisy, Nasturtium, Yarrow)

*Overall, it seems there is an absence of marigolds and a profusion of coneflowers; flower beds once brimming with marigolds have transitioned to the daisy-like look of coneflowers.

*Coneflowers have become soldiers of the landscape. They have an authoritative presence with their strong, upright stems and dramatic, bold color.

*Generally, coneflowers are used as “pocket” flowers. Nestled against large boulders or in “waves” of color in a natural setting, they offer countless possibilities.

*Yellow is an underused color in gardens throughout the metroplex.

*Purple is the most complimentary color to use with yellow flowers.

*The majority of yellow flowers need a minimum 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily.

From the professionals, some tips for using yellow flowers in the garden:

Fine Gardening-Yellow blossoms carry farther, shine brighter, and remain visible longer in the evening than flowers of any other color except white.

Proven Winners-Yellow is an attention-grabbing color that makes a cheerful statement in the landscape.

Gardening Know How-Yellow flowers/plants as a single color scheme greatly enliven the garden, especially when the area is small or shaded, brightening and enlarging the garden space.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Remember fall is a good time to plant!

Leave a comment

Posted in Perennials and tagged Coneflower, Echinacea, flowers, garden, gardening, nature, pollinators, Rudbeckia, yellow flowers to grow in Dallas. Bookmark the permalink.

Growing Figs in Texas

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 6, 2025

Dig a hole through time and you will hit a fig tree’s roots. Figs are one of the oldest cultivated plants.

Figs are interesting little fruits but not in the traditional sense. The structure of the fig is a called a syconium, a fleshy sac lined with tiny flowers inside. When you eat a fig, you’re technically eating hundreds of tiny inverted flowers that bloomed inside the syconium.

The word “fig” comes from the Latin ficus
There are over 700 species of fig trees worldwide
Figs grown in the USA are self pollinating but in other countries pollination is provided by fig wasps which crawl into the fig, complete their mission and then die inside the fruit.
Figs conatin fiber, copper, potassium, maganese, vitamin K and other nutrients
Plant your fig tree in full sun in soil with good drainage, mulch regularly and monitor moisture needs

My experience with growing figs started with a fig tree propagated by Master Gardener, Jim Dempsey. It was planted in my backyard about 10 years ago. Every year I have looked up into my trees large, deeply lobed leaves longing for figs. The winter storm of 2021 nicknamed “Snowmagdeddon” caused the tree to die back and it would be several more years of waiting and hoping as it recuperated.

Finally this year my family tasted the fruit! About 12 pounds of figs were harvested from our Celeste fig tree. We let it grow to a height of over 20 feet. Rather than try to protect the tree from birds with a net or other artificial means, we let the birds eat the fruit in the branches way up high leaving the rest for us. There’s nothing like the taste of a fig eaten at peak ripeness from your own backyard tree.

*Our Celeste Fig Tree, note the neighbor’s two story chimney for height comparison.*

Another personal story: My son and wife and three little children moved to a new house last year. They have a “Texas Everbearing” fig tree. To my great delight, my grandchildren are eating figs from thier own tree. Imagine me walking into their kitchen and seeing figs on their high chair plates. Surely this is tender hearted beauty!

Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

Extra figs were made into Fig Jam!

More Fig Facts here

Fig Fest

5 Comments

Posted in Fruit Trees, Uncategorized and tagged celeste fig tree, Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Dallas County Master Gardeners, faith, food, garden, gardening, growing figs in Texas, nature, Raincatcher's Garden, Texas Everbearing fig. Bookmark the permalink.

Surprise Lily

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

July 22, 2025

*Surprise Lily-The interesting thing about the name of this lily is that I was the one met with a surprise – in my own back yard!*

Just a few days ago, with the temperature hovering around 93 degrees, I decided to run the sprinkler system in my raised edible bed. It was a hot afternoon and overspray from the system felt good hitting me in the face, so I sat down on a bench and waited for it to complete the cycle. Interestingly, something in the blue blooming salvia bed just to my right side kept catching my eye. Curious to figure out “why” a single, and very lovely, pale pink flower was peeking out at me, I got up, walked a few steps and stared in amazement.

Gently pushing back some of the ‘black and blue’ salvias that had been growing in that spot for over 5 years, was the most unexpected sight. Droplets from the sprinkler that had just watered that area were gracefully clinging to the petals and seemed to be inviting me to come closer and take a look. What was this mysterious plant that I had never even noticed in the 19 years we’ve lived here?

After taking a few photos with my iPhone and then doing a quick plant search, the answer was revealed to me. I was pleased to learn that the botanical name Lycoris, is from plants in the Amaryllis family. Some of their common names, however (resurrection flower, surprise lily and magic lily) refer to the trumpet-shaped blooms that resemble lilies. Also known as ‘naked ladies’ for the absence of leaves, these striking lilies start blooming around the end of July. She almost looked like a flamingo standing stiff-legged in my garden bed. I wanted to learn more about her!

Lycoris includes around 20 different species found in China, Japan and a few other Asian countries. However, the tall, pink flowered Lycoris x squamigera is the most common in American gardens. If you are interested in growing this lovely, delicate pink lady, here are a few tips to get started:

*The surprise lily is a perennial bulb in the Amaryllis family and is the hardiest of all the plants in the Lycoris species.

*Bulbs are about 3 inches in diameter with long necks that can persist for many years once established.

*Lycoris prefer full sun to partial shade.

*When planting, bury bulbs to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, spacing them 6 inches apart.

*They grow best in well-drained, fertile soils.

*Foliage emerges in late winter to early spring. Silvery gray greenish strap-like leaves measure 12 inches long and 1 inch wide. They grow in clumps.

*Foliage dies away in late spring followed by the late summer “surprise” lily that emerges like magic and produces 5-7 four-inch pale pink trumpet-like blooms atop the 2-foot tall stalks.

*Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the fragrant flowers.

Now that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable lady, I’ll be especially watchful next spring while awaiting her return!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

4 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Dallas County Master Gardeners, flowers, garden, gardening, Lycoris, nature, Southern Bulbs, Spring, Summer bulbs for Texas, Surprise Lily, The Raincatcher's Garden. Bookmark the permalink.

A Necessary Distraction

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

July 12, 2025

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