Crape myrtle like dogwood, magnolia, and wisteria, is a dominant southern landscaping plant. They are very beautiful when in bloom during the summer. In fall, leaves transform from green to the red, orange, yellow range, and, as seen above; berries turn a dark brown. The berries punctuate the ends of the branches and add texture to the lingering foliage. In new neighborhoods, builders often place a crape myrtle or two on every lot. While they are beautiful, they shed blooms in summer and leaves in fall. Like magnolia trees, they seem to be shedding something constantly. However, like the magnolia, they are beautiful and worth the trouble.

The beautiful bush in today’s photo is found in the parking lot of the Greek Orthodox Church on West Friendly Avenue. The one in our Greensboro yard is at the upper range of height limit, close to 40 feet tall. Many people lop them off and keep them under 10′. As Greensboro approaches the gray days of winter, this crape myrtle is here to remind us that beauty and color can be found in the tiniest details in nature.