Plant Spotlight
From Aggiegreenhouse
Plant Spotlight: Tues, Sep 8, 2009
Liriope (Liriope_genus) is a group of ground cover plants with many functions. Often it is used as a natural evergreen ground cover, because it does NOT require mowing and care. Liriope muscari is the most popular and plentiful at your local garden center.
It can be used as a border element providing soft small mounds of vegetation. Popular in two varieties with small Spike-like purple plumes of flowers at the right season. This plant lasts for years of enjoyment, and shows it's true versatility when used in transition zones.
Today's featured plant: Sunday, October 20, 2024
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The Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a highly versatile plant commonly thought as a multi-stemmed large shrub, but used more and more as a tree. Yes, as a tree! Cultivating makes plants into some of the most interesting things. This is the process where by humans domestic our surroundings. Who could think how many plants we enjoy daily from very simple beginnings?
Similar in presentation to a Rose of Sharon or Old-Fashioned Lilac, it has been nicknamed, Lilac of the South.
Currently in bloom all summer long, the plant can serve many purposes. It can be a small flowering pot, an accent plant to highlight and well, spotlight a feature, or rise as tall as a house. Providing color and shade are easy with this standard. It comes in red, rose, pink, purple, or white. It requires full sun, well drained soils, with low water needs. Deciduous, and grows well with heat.
Although the TLD of www.crapemyrtle.com is owned by someone who could use a good web designer, don't let that take away from this common, but versatile plant. Crape Myrtle can even be bonsai.
- Crape Myrtle information from NC Cooperative Extension
- Crape Myrtle varieties provided by PLANTanswers at Aggie Horticulture
- CRAPEMYRTLE - THE BEST LANDSCAPE PLANT FOR TEXAS by San Antonio Express News GARDENING, Etc. 9-4-2005
