For the most part, I keep my property as natural as possible and I don’t do a lot of special planting. I do this mainly for the wildlife, but I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of yard work, so I won’t plant things that need lots of attention (see my posts about gardenias and azaleas). I have planted a few things over the years, and one of my favorites are my crepe myrtle trees. I got them from a friend who knew someone with a nursery. He occasionally gave her plants that were crooked or had other small deformities that people wouldn’t spend money on. She passed several along to me. One of the things I love about them is that except for when they were first getting started, they require very little care in the Florida environment.

The other awesome thing about the crepe myrtles is just the way they look. They are a deciduous tree, so in the winter they are bare, but even then they don’t look bad. They have an exfoliating bark, which means that the old bark tends to peal off and reveals a mottled new bark. Both the pealing old bark and the new bark are quite attractive. When spring comes, the crepe myrtle trees start to put out pretty green leaves that last through the summer, and in this warm climate, well into the fall.

In the late spring and early summer the trees start to flower, and the flowers are gorgeous. All of the ones I have produce a dark pink to red flower, but they can come in many colors from white to red, and even lavender. Each flower is delicate with a wrinkled texture like crepe paper. The flowers grow in clusters that line the branches, and are very striking. I’m sure most people have seen crepe myrtles since they are a pretty common (especially in the southern US) ornamental trees. Lots of cities use them in road medians, and they are popular in mall and shopping center parking lots. I’m sure that they use them in such places for the same reason I planted them. They are easy to keep and easy on the eyes. Who can ask for more in an ornamental plant? What plants have you had experience with that are pretty and easy to care for?