CRAPE MERTLES / "CREEP MERTLES"

Extreme weather seems to be the "normal" this year.  Currently there are distructive fires ravging the Western United States & parts of Florida are still flooded from tropical storm "Debby" which rained for several days last week.  Here in Central Arkansas, we are experiencing record temperatures -- for June, no less -- along with drought conditions through out the state. And this is just the start of Summer !!

Apparently this will be the Summer of high water bills for me from the Grand Prairie H2O District in Stuttgard, Arkansas ... my H2O provider.  Having lost (killed) plants & trees in past years due to a lack of watering on my part, I have determined this year I will water frequently & deep, to keep my landscape thriving during the heat & drought.  I have too much financially invested in the landscaping I have done through the years to let money -- well, MAJOR money H2O bills -- prevent me from watering my trees & plantings.

One of my favorite trees to plant has been the CRAPE MERTLE.  I currently have 33 planted on my property, with five more remaining in pots until weather conditions improve to put them in the ground.

As a youngster, living in Rochester, New York, I remember many times visiting Highland Park, world famous for the collection of LILACS, which through shape & color, look much like the Crape Mertles grown in the South. The major difference -- beyong the cooler growing temperatures needed by Lilacs -- is the strong, beautiful fragrance the Lilacs have & the Crape Mertles do not.  But, with our increadbly HOT Summers, I am more than satisfied with the beautiful display of colors the CREEP MERTLES provide, even minus a fragrance.

Okay.  Disclaimer time.  I did not mis-spell the name in the above sentence.  "Creep Mertles" is the name I use for these trees.  I have given "nick names" to various places & things on my property.  The large drainage ditch which floods with heavy rains, is called "MUDD CREEK".  The same rain storms bring "LAKE HILDA" -- named for my Mother -- to the front yard.  The many "Creep Mertles" are named for a dear, unrelated "sister" of mine.  Many reading this will know exactly who I mean, but probably not why they are named.

 Some of my older "Creeps", have been planted more than 15 years & have reached their maximun height of 18-25 feet.

 Along the fence, down at the road, the "Creep Trees" there have been planted for two years & are starting to have good growth & size.

 The above location -- when I take another photo in several weeks -- will be much more impressive since ALL the trees currently have buds on them & should put on an exciting color show come mid-July.

 The lush green grass in the photo above is a sure indicator this picture was taken beck in May of this year when I planted additional "Creeps" along the fence. 

Almost the same location of this shot, but the "Creep Mertles" -- while growing well -- are getting daily attention as to watering, both to get them started in the ground & to combat the EXTREME dry conditions we are under.  [That's a total of 250 feet of hose -- used to give each "Creep" a long/deep soaking, watering -- laying on the dry/partched grass.  Too bad/so sad ... I am NOT watering the grass.  This way there is less cutting with the J. Deere & savings on gasoline.]

I'll present another posting in a month or so, to give an up-dated view of the Summer color in my "CREEP MERTLES".