Saturday, we decided to stop at Home Depot to get some cleaning products for the farm. The garden section is pretty much desolate this time of year but I wandered to the back of the section anyway to look at concrete pavers.
That's when I saw these two trees.
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| Crape Myrtle trees |
I was standing there for a second and about to walk away and the guy that worked there said "you want those trees?" I smiled and said "no thanks, I wasn't here to buy trees today". He said "no, not to buy, I was about to throw these out, but you can have them if you want".
UM...
FREE TREES?
HELL YEAH!
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| Natchez Crape Myrtle |
This one is Crape Myrtle "Natchez", a white flower...
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| Tuscarora Crape Myrtle |
This one is Crape Myrtle "Tuscarora", a hot pink flower...
Apparently they throw them out if they look scraggly and it's the end of the season. Sad note, he said he threw out "about a dozen" a few days before! I asked if they were still in the trash but he said no it had already been picked up. Oh well, we'll take two free trees, especially flowering trees.
Instant color for the farm!
Crapes do extremely well in our climate, one of the few flowering trees we can grow. In fact, they are THE most popular tree in Houston landscaping. I believe they do well in clay soils too but I'll amend when I can. Not sure where we will plant them, maybe near the bee yard, or maybe near the house for quick color.
Anyone grow crape myrtles?
Great Score! Have you two ever gone to Vegas?? :-)
ReplyDeleteCrapes are one of the best-looking trees I know of. Low maintenance and they give back great color. I'll have to post some pics when they're back in bloom.
Hey Mike!! Thanks for stopping by!! Do you know we've never been to Vegas. It's on the list for 'someday'. And maybe my luck will follow, ha! Perhaps I should play Lotto more often too. Yep, they are all over landscaping here, at malls and parking lots, along the freeways, and of course in peoples yards. They are usually just so expensive for ones this size and the small ones are hard to find. Would love to see yours next time they are in bloom.
DeleteEvery crepe myrtle I had at the old house was a free one from Arbor Day foundation. They grow quickly which is good. You'll have to decide if you want bushes or trees. The difference is eliminating the growth at the ground level. I tried braiding the trunks when they were very young saplings for a more interesting look.
ReplyDeleteREALLY? Wow. I might just have to join. They sell them here but they are so popular they are really expensive. Ooh, I saw a braided one once it was gorgeous. These are too big for that now but if I can get some small ones that might be fun to try too. Thanks!
DeleteKing of deals!!! That's wonderful the ones that size here are like $35 each!
ReplyDeleteYep, these are probably that much here too (when in season of course). Wish I could have had those 12 they threw away. :-(
DeleteCrepe myrtles thrive here too. We have a huge deep pink one, but the neighbours have a scarlet one I lust after. Some day...
ReplyDeleteThe second one says "hot pink", not sure how that will look but pics whenever it does finally bloom! That's so neat that the same trees grow so well in such different places on the planet, huh?
DeleteRight place, right time - and right price!! Can't get any better than that! They will look beautiful at your Farm.
ReplyDeleteI have several Crepe Myrtles and they do great in my gumbo soil. They are gorgeous when they’re in bloom and also add great architectural interest when not. Please do not commit “crepe murder” by trimming them - they will get ugly “witch’s fingers.”
No, won't do the crepe murder I know what you mean. They JUST did that to the trees by my office. Glad to know it grows in our soil. So little does, ha.
DeleteWe have several and they do great here too, but I find I do have to trim them yearly. I think the key is to just trim the scraggly branches and leave the others. Here a lot of people give them a "flat top" cut and it is beyond horrid when they start to grow.
ReplyDeleteThe trees flower on new growth, so selected trimming really does increase the amount of blooms. Here I can cut the old blooms off and get a couple of more blooms each summer
I hate the flat tops, they are popular here too. They give such beautiful color and for so long in the season too. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI base our entire landscaping around them! Love, love,especially he ones that color up in the Fall.
ReplyDeleteThis may be one of our focal points too, a basis for the other landscaping. They are pretty aren't they? Thanks!!!
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