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Low Maintenance Crepe Myrtle Hybrids make it Easy to Transform Your Landscape
By | May 15, 2008
Beautiful landscapes offer a sense of flow to your home and garden and Crepe Myrtle Trees are ideal for creating your very own inner sanctum of privacy. Crepe myrtles are traditional ornamental trees that provide shade from their thick, glossy leaves and boast large clusters of fragrant flowers. These trees were known to be susceptible to crippling diseases and insect infestations. The most egregious problems are powdery mildew, sooty mold and aphids. Powdery mildew starts late in the spring and fall and coats the leaves and flowers with a white mold that stunts new growth. This disease in particular devastates crepe myrtles. Aphids were also commonly known to hamper the growth and virility of crepe myrtles. A tiny green insect that is no larger than the head of a pin, aphids suck the sap right out of the leaves and stems.
Because of the versatility and beauty of crepe myrtle trees, the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit (FNPRU) of the U.S. National Arboretum has worked for decades to create crepe myrtle hybrids that are better, faster growing and more resistant to pests and diseases. The work that they have done has resulted in dozens of crepe myrtle hybrids that can now flourish with brighter colors and in more growing zones than ever before. According to the official Web site of the FNPRU, “Beautiful crepemyrtles with enhanced disease resistance and cold hardiness are some of the most widely appreciated of all the plants that have been developed through the painstaking efforts of Arboretum scientists.”
The Fast Growing Trees Online Nursery has the most popular crepe myrtles available: the Dynamite Crepe Myrtle, Red Rocket Crepe Myrtle, Natchez Crepe Myrtle, Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle, and Muskogee Crepe Myrtle . These hybrids are ideal for landscaping use because they bloom all summer long and stay colorful well into the fall. They also all sport a handsomely colored bark, are very easy to take care of and of course are now relatively free of crippling pests and disease. Another benefit of the hybrids is that they are adaptable to colder climates and can be grown in more places than ever in the United States.
One of the most popular and best selling Crepe Myrtles available is the Dynamite Crepe Myrtle. Of all the hybrids offered by the Fast Growing Trees Nursery, it’s the most vividly colored. The Dynamite has an abundance of bright red flowers that start to bloom in July and last for 100 days. It’s considered to be an excellent ornamental tree for residential lawns and gardens, and requires minimal upkeep. This hardy tree will thrive in most climate zones and is highly resistant to powdery mildew and drought. Fast Growing Trees Nursery Assistant Travis Zboch said this is a popular tree because it blooms red in the summer months, while most trees don’t do so until late summer or early fall. “You can really make a statement with your landscaping by having such brilliant explosions of red so early in the year,” he said. “And not only will they bloom early, they’ll bloom for more than three full months.”
Another popular crepe myrtle that features electric red flowers is the Red Rocket. This tree begins blooming in July and continues through September, totaling 120 days of full color overall. While the Red Rocket and Dynamite both have shades of red flowers, those of the Red Rocket are closer to a fiery red while the Dynamite’s blooms have more purple in them. The Red Rocket is the fastest growing crepe myrtle hybrid and the thick cone-shaped clusters of flowers can reach up to 20 inches.
The Red Rocket is highly resistant to drought and powdery mildew, and can be planted 5 feet apart for a colorful privacy fence during the summer months. This tree is also ideal for functional shading purposes. Researchers in home-temperature control studies estimate that in most areas, air-conditioning costs can but cut by almost 20 percent by strategically placed flowering trees. Zboch agreed with the study, adding that, “Not only are these crepes beautiful additions to your landscape design, but they’ll also save you money.”
The Natchez Crepe Myrtle was one of the first hybrids developed, and its radiant white blooms appear in mid-June and continue for 110 days. In the winter months the bark exfoliates, revealing a dark cinnamon brown trunk, which is considered by many to be its most ornamental feature. The Natchez is tolerant of extreme heat and cold and this fast growing tree is ideal for growing zones 7 through 10. It is also highly resistant to aphids and powdery mold. This hardy tree can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet.
The Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle offers radiant color with a decidedly feminine twist. The deep pink flowers of this fast growing tree bloom from spring until fall. Combining classic form with modern function, this hybrid is highly mildew and pest resistant, yet still attractive and fragrant. The Pink Velour grows in zones 6 through 10 and is adaptable to climates and soil types as far as southern Florida.
Another crepe that bursts with a more gentle aura is the Muskogee Crepe with its soft lavender flowers. This Crepe Myrtle can climb to heights of 20 to 25 feet high at its maturity. Muskogees start blooming in mid-June and continue to do so for 120 days. This fast growing tree has a high drought tolerance, requires minimal pruning, is not affected by pests and is highly resistant to powdery mold. The Muskogee is also tolerant of cold climates and can grow as far north as Growing Zone 6.
Fast-Growing-Trees.com is a mail order nursery with headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. For pictures and more information about the Crepe Myrtle hybrids and the dozens of other varieties of fast growing trees, visit the Fast Growing Trees Nursery online or call 1-888-222-5150.
Deborah Bartley
Fast Growing Trees Nursery Director
About the Author
Deborah Bartley is one of the Nursery Managers at Fast Growing Trees Nursery. Fast-Growing-Trees.com is a mail order nursery with headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. For pictures and more information about the Crepe Myrtle hybrids and the dozens of other varieties of fast growing trees, visit the Fast Growing Trees Nursery online or call 1-888-222-5150. -
It can be fun when it comes to designing and building your very own landscape garden. It can give everyone a chance to show their creativity and the results at the end are usually all worth while. There are so many different things which can be done to the landscape including decking in the garden or using great features to really give the garden that extra something special.
Landscaping Your Very Own Garden
Gardening can sometimes be a tricky experience and it needs a bit of thought put into it beforehand. When you want to transform your landscape you will need to plan everything in advance in order to get the required look that you desire. There is no use just buying a lot of features and putting them together as they may not necessarily go together properly. It is all about striking that perfect balance to make the garden look great. So, if you use a certain plant, make sure that you understand the requirements that it needs in order for it to grow properly.
Landscaping Your Garden to Make the Most Out Of Open Spaces
There are people out there with quite a bit of open lawns and they could use some of it to make some great features. You could make a nice little retreat somewhere and have a bridge or trellis to separate it. Adding extra features such as shrubs, potted plants, flowers and furniture such as a bench or a hammock could really add to the effect.
You could also make crazy paving too in order to add a bit of creativity to the garden and to make use of some of the open space available. There is so much that you could do with the space, it is all down to each individual on what they decide will look the best. However, if you do add things to the space, make sure that you get the balance just right because if you overdo it, it will affect the overall look and balance.
Adding the Extra Touches When Landscaping Your Garden
If you have decided to add a patio or decking to your landscape, it is now down to adding the extra features that makes it look complete. A great way to transform things is by the use of plants, shrubs and even trees. There are so many different extras you can add to any part of the garden to achieve the overall required look. It is just a matter of searching for the things which you feel will suit the look the best.
About the Author:
Andrew Caxton contributes editing long articles on lawn care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . For additional information on landscape gardening or landscaping subjects have a look at his web.
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