The Streets of Melbourne

#Lagerstroemia (also crepe myrtle, or crepeflower) is native to the Indian Subcontinent and also to Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan.

I believe my ID app has identified this correctly. I couldn’t get close to this one as it was set back in the front garden of its home in #Gardenvale #Australia.

But from afar it caught my eye and it certainly has the splendour fitting to share with the good folk of #mastodon!

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #aesthetichedonist #januaryjoy #gardeningAU #gardening #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

Feb 4, 2023 at 2:33amWeb
Show threadBluedotmoFeb 4, 2023
@NessaUndreza They have these all over the Southeastern US. They're what I like the most about that part of the country.
Show threadThe Streets of MelbourneFeb 4, 2023
@bluedotmo wow. Against that typical (which I’ve seen visiting) terra cotta colour would look great. And white of course!!
Show threadBrent, in a jarFeb 4, 2023
@bluedotmo @NessaUndreza Sadly very few pollinators in the SE like them. I was a big fan until I found that out, now I'd stick with azaleas
Show threadBluedotmoFeb 4, 2023
@BrentInMasto @NessaUndreza They're so pretty. They have bright purple ones as well.
Show threadThe Streets of MelbourneFeb 4, 2023
@bluedotmo @BrentInMasto yes I’ve seen a few of the deep purples. Tooted one a couple weeks ago. Saw them again just this morning, coming to an end of their flowering cycle. They were spectacular too!
Show threadDarin SimmonsFeb 4, 2023

@NessaUndreza Where I live, hot summers no freezing, these things are borderline nuisance. They have white, pink, red, and purple. They grow so quickly that most people have no qualms about whacking a full limb whenever it gets in the way as it will recover. Don't get me started on the roots and the difficulty of killing them.

The power district gives them away as shade trees. I wouldn't take another even if you paid me. Admittedly, in full bloom they are quite attractive; I'll admire them from afar.

Show thread3wombatsFeb 4, 2023
@NessaUndreza Definitely a crepe myrtle I’ve been thinking of planting one . Small garden but I think there’s a dwarf variety
Show threadThe Streets of MelbourneFeb 4, 2023
@3wombats great thanks W3 for the confirmation 👏👏👍
Show threadD'ArcyFeb 4, 2023
@NessaUndreza We have 3 or 4 of these trees in our yard. Almost every house in our neighborhood has at least one. They are super simple to care for and are very lovely.
Show threadThe Streets of MelbourneFeb 4, 2023
@drcdiva wow that’s lovely to hear D’Arcy. I’m starting to see them bloom everywhere! Saw one spectacular in Carnegie today. Couldn’t stop but will make it back in the next few days. 👏👏👍🌸
Show threadGraham PalmerFeb 4, 2023
@NessaUndreza Pretty sure you’re right - there’s one of these outside my flat - still has a nursery label attached.
Show threadNot2dayFeb 4, 2023

@NessaUndreza this is our street tree here in the NE Victoria. Beautiful hardy tree that can withstand -5degrees to 44 degrees heat. This year, they are flowering about a month late. Normally in flower over Christmas. Their only down fall is that they are so heavy with flower, that any rain weighs down the branches often to the point of broken limbs.

This is our miniature red crepe myrtle a few days ago.

Show threadThe Streets of MelbourneFeb 5, 2023
@Mitzy wow, that’s extraordinary re the weight of water weighing the limbs down so much. And your red crepe myrtle is simply gorgeous mitzy. It’s reds are striking. Healthy too 👏👏👍