Southern Belles

There are several blooming trees on my list of favorites. One that rates high on the list would have to be the Crepe Myrtle tree! I refer to the Crepe Myrtle and Magnolia trees as Southern Belles. They are a true staple in many gardens and business landscapes here in Georgia.

We were lucky enough to purchase this house with many Myrtles in the ground showing off their pretty colors. We had the home inspection during the month of July when all trees were in full bloom, convincing us we had made the correct choice in picking this house as our new home. I find it interesting how the Myrtles don't all bloom at the same time. The deep pink one above starts to show us her colors in mid June. Look in the driveway island how the pale pink Myrtle is not showing any color at all in this picture snapped on July 1... You can see in this picture below how the branches are starting to curve over towards the ground from the weight of the heavy blooms. Tomorrow you will see what happens after a quick steady rainfall. By the middle of July, the pale pink Myrtle was putting off a show as well. She has been seen with more blooms in past years, but I am not complaining.

Here is another pale pink Myrtle that I almost lost to the Saints saw blades! This little beauty was sheltered from the sun until 2 years ago when a tree fell near her. While cleaning up the downed tree, the Saint wanted to remove the little Myrtle as well. In his mind a blooming tree that does not bloom does not belong in the yard plus the tree was in his way. The Saints mind also tells him, trees do not belong in the yard solely surrounded by grass because they are a pain in the butt to mow around. Ha, you better not go near Miss Myrtle with that saw or I will be on you like a Japanese beetle on a Maple! Well, what I really said was worse but you get the jest.

He left his paws off Miss Myrtle and two years later, look at that Belle glow in her pink dress! All she needed were a few beams of the sun shining on her body to bring out her true colors. The Saint is happy he did not cut down Miss Myrtle. Ah, Gloating here.

My southern Belles are loosing their bloomers this summer! Yep the Bark is falling off the trees this year. I have no idea if the drought is to blame or if they are maturing and this is normal for the type Myrtle in our yard. Miss Myrtles legs are smooth and a beautiful white color similar to a Birch Tree.

As I type this and gaze out the office window, to the left of my view is the Butterfly Island and to the right is Miss Myrtle, pretty in bright pink showing her stuff. Ah, what a view!

Here is one more Southern Belle, which stands tall in the front yard. This one blooms even later then the one in the driveway island. I don't know what causes the blooms staggering time but with this happening, we have blooms from mid June until late August! Notice the Myrtle to the right of the blooming one. No blooms at all...

We have 12 Myrtles lining our property line up on the street by the county right of way. Those poor things were planted under tall pine trees and have yet to bloom in the 7 years we have lived here. I wish the previous homeowners would have removed a few pines behind them then we would have a great show going on with them as well.

We have 10 Myrtles in our landscaped areas of the yard but the ones I have shown you today are the ones which bloom profusely for us. I don't think one can have too many SOUTHERN BELLES, In the Garden...