What is up with all the Crepe Myrtles? (Austin, Nash: fit in, house)

[vlan1]

Did I miss the official Welcome to Austin pamphlet stating I had to plant at least one or two crepe myrtles in my yard to fit in here? They are EVERYWHERE it seems, was there an initiative awhile back to get these things all over the place, or is it just people like the pink flowers in the summer?

[centralaustinite]

They are very typical in Texas and other zone 8 places! They like the heat, withstand drought, grow to a nice medium size, and add color. Very low maintenance too. What is not to like?

[10scoachrick]

The initiative must date back to the '70s or before Our aunt's former house in Balcones Woods has two crepe myrtles that are original to the building of the home. Huge trunks! The trees tower over the house! Exfoliating bark takes some getting used to; but they are pretty trees, albeit a little messy.

[scm53]

Let me guess. Someone from N of the DC - Nashville - OKC line?

AKA, plant hardiness zone 7, which is about the upper limit for crepe myrtles. Even then, depends on varieties. I've had one freeze stone dead in the winter here in Austin when it stayed below 20 for about three days.

[hooky hornstein]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

The initiative must date back to the '70s or before Our aunt's former house in Balcones Woods has two crepe myrtles that are original to the building of the home. Huge trunks! The trees tower over the house! Exfoliating bark takes some getting used to; but they are pretty trees, albeit a little messy.

Maybe the '50s or more. The Austin Metro Area was already filled with them when I grew into awareness in the early '60s.

I like to keep moving so instead of sitting in traffic I take backroads and I love to how certain plants non-native plants are predominant in some areas but totally absent from others. You see it with Mimosas, Red Yuccas, Sago, Italian Cypresses, and those purple shrubs shaped like irises whose name escapes me at the moment.

But what's cool about the phenomenon is that it speaks to neighborliness. I like to imagine somebody drives by, sees what a neighbor has planted and says, "Hey, that's cool. Can I have some?"

I guess once long ago - maybe in the '30s, maybe in the 1860s - somebody planted a crepe myrtle and all the neighbors said, "Wow! I want one of those."

And then maybe there came a time when it became a requisite. "Have you called all the utilities? Have you enrolled the kids? Have you planted a crepe myrtle?"

Maybe it was once even a way to welcome new neighbors. "Hi, I'm Doug. This is my wife, Sara. Here's a platter of chocolate chip cookies and here's a CREPE MYRTLE! Welcome to the neighborhood."

[North Beach Person]

I had never seen a crepe myrtle (or if I had I hadn't noticed them) until we moved to Maryland over 30 years ago, nor had Mrs. NBP. And I had spent a fair amount of time in the South off and on.

It was the first thing she made me plant when we bought our house.

[vlan1]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

I had never seen a crepe myrtle (or if I had I hadn't noticed them) until we moved to Maryland over 30 years ago, nor had Mrs. NBP. And I had spent a fair amount of time in the South off and on.

It was the first thing she made me plant when we bought our house.

I am originally from the eastern shore and don't remember seeing Crepe Myrtles back home. At least not enough to pay attention too.

[vlan1]

Originally Posted by hooky hornstein

You see it with Mimosas,[/i]

I am surprised by the amount of mimosa's here considering how disease prone they are.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by vlan1

I am originally from the eastern shore and don't remember seeing Crepe Myrtles back home. At least not enough to pay attention too.

I've sort of noticed that over there. I'm in Southern MD so that may be why they're so prevalent here, a tad different climate.

There are a few I've seen with trunks a couple feet in diameter so they've been in awhile.

[cBach]

Crepe Myrtles are one of the few flowering plants in the summer and they love the heat. They are a natural in this climate.