All across the city streets, along with the other glorious
colours of summer, are these showy lavender blooms of the
Queen's Crape Myrtle. Native to South-east Asia its bota-
nical name is Lagerstroemia speciosa. Belonging to the same
family as Crape Myrtles/L. indica, the flowers are crinkled
and showy.
Queen's Crape Myrtle is also known as Pride of India.
Not knowing much about this tree I found out some facts
online. It is a fast-growing tree and can reach a height
40-60ft and also spread to 30-40ft. The blooming period
is from April to July.
In autumn the leaves turn to a coppery shade and then
shed during winter. Its timber is valuable because of its
durability. Since it can withstand the effects of sea-water
and rough winds, it is made into wharf posts, boats, and
casks. It is also used for making panels on walls as well
as furniture.
Although I've seen pink blooms on the Internet, all the
trees on our streets have lavender blooms. A beautiful
sight to behold!
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25 comments:
Hi Kanak, We have many crepe myrtles here in GA but none with blooms like you have in India. What a delight to see the crinkled, larger blossoms! This was mama's favorite blooming plant and her favorite color was lavender! Thank you so much for sharing a native plant. I hope all is going well for you. Take care friend.
Hi Kanak, how very beautiful! I must say I love your header picture, it's gorgeous.
Tyra
Gorgeous pictures of the Indian Pride tree. I have a few in my garden. One is 20 Years old and it is a sight to behold when in flower. I also love how the foliage takes on autumn colours, here now. Not many trees have leaves in autumn colours in my garden or for that in the subtropics.
Hi Kanak~
We have crape myrtle trees in our area, but nothing as beautiful as the pictures you shared with us today. The close up shots were very inspirational for me, I may try to make a crape myrtle flower out of clay.
Happy day~ Karrita
It's wonderful! I know I would love it in person too as the crepes are one of my favorite small trees.
Oh I love those blooms Kanak! They are so lovely.
Love your new header picture too!
Kanak, the crape myrtle is just gorgeous. I love the shape of the blooms. No wonder they are also called Pride of India. Beautiful. Wonderful photographs of them.
So glad to know that Mildred. From a distance there's not much of a difference from the crepe myrtles but a closer look--and the size of the blooms amazes you!
Thanks tyra. So glad to read your comment on my new header!
Trudi, your garden must be so beautiful when they bloom! I was surprised to read about the foliage changing colour in autumn. Back where I grew up, we had the crape myrtles but not this. I'll be closely observing the leaves in autumn. Food for another post! :)
Karrita, I'm so happy to know that you found the photos inspirational. A talented artist like you will surely create a striking one. All the best!
Tina, thanks. I remember you calling the crapes "Southern Belles".
Thanks Susie. happy to read your comment on my header. Guess what? I was actually aiming at a butterfly when this dragonfly landed right next to me! Just like that! This is one photo which needed no effort whatsoever!!
Lona, thank you so much! So glad you stopped by.
Hi Kanak, wow! so this is the Pride Of India. The flower does look more magnificent than the L. Indica I have posted earlier :-) Thank you for the pictures. They are so nice. Btw, I manage to get pictures of L. Indica's red and purple panicles today. I have updated my post with these pictures. Check them out. Have a great day!
Hello Kanak, I am so glad you stopped by Simplyscapes as it allowed me to come and visit you. I have just been enjoying your stunning photographs and beautiful flowers and insects. Your Queen's Crape Myrtles are gorgeous, the petals look just like crinkled tissue paper, so pretty.
Your header photo is incredibly beautiful, just look at the details on those wings, i'm inspired and off to the garden right now :-). Happy Thursday, Kathy.
Steph at Steph's Green Space just did a post the Common Crape-myrtle. The Queen Crape-myrtle is real showy plant and deserves to be seen by all gardeners.
Steph, I checked! Wonderful pictures...simply love them. Thanks for telling me.
Hi Kathy..thank you so much for dropping by. And for everything that you wrote. I'm very much inspired by your photos too. Will be at Simplescapes again. Have a lovely day!
Prospero, thanks. I've been to Steph's and loved her post! Beautiful photos of the Crape myrtles!
I love it's cousin the Crape Myrtle(L. indica) in my area, but yours is even more spectacular! :)
Hi Kanak, I am happy to find out I was not the only one who had not heard of the ATC - little pieces of art. With all the beautiful photographs you have, you could create cards with your photography. I wish I still did cross stitch embroidery and I would make ATC's with thread. So nice to hear from you today. May I ask how your dad is doing? I think of you and your family often.
Thanks Racquel...glad to read your comment.
Mildred, I think I should...I'll find out more. Wonderful idea!
Thank you for asking about my father. He's slightly better and is no longer in constant pain. He can also breathe on his own without the aid of oxygen. And that's such a relief. We only hope that he will not have to bear such pain again.
Hi Kanak, what a royal beauty she is too! I can imagine a street lined with these trees, what a delightful scene. The flowers look much larger than the indicas we grow in the southern US, lovely!
Frances
(Love the header photo too!)
Down here in the Caribbean is called
Queen of Flowers= Reina de las Flores,
however I think the botanical
name is much better.
I do not recommend these tree for
any urban context: sidewalks,roads,pavement. Too much
organic waste in seeds/flowers, also
slippery.
How beautiful! I wonder if this is what I saw when I was in Florida. Not this trip, but another one a few years ago (o.k. 11 years ago). The trees had beautiful purple flowers all over them.
Hi Kanak, it IS a beautiful sight to behold! I love the 'crinkled' look of the leaves...and the flowers look huge! I have crepe myrtles in my yard but NOTHING like your variety! How pretty it is!!
Hi Kanak, love your pictures and the info. Here in So. California we have lots and lots of Lagerstroemia indica but I don't think I've ever seen Pride of India. Wonder why? Thanks for the posting. Barbara
Your combination of research and photo journey is both educating and invigorating
Pride of India! I never knew that! Well, after reading your blog, my eyes would always smile at the lonely Myrtle who shares a small space among the raintrees! Great closeups, Kanak!
Love this lavendar (what great close-ups), here the reds are wild. I actually love them all.
We have crape myrtle here but nothing quite that spectacular. And what a lovely color!
Frances, thank you so much! And for mentioning my header too!
Antigonum Cajan, thanks for stopping by. Reinas de las Flores sounds lovely!
Thanks Wendy, could've been. Many of the species we have here seem to do well in places like FL and TX.
Jan, so lovely to have you here. Thank you so much!
Hi Barbara, thanks for sharing that bit of info...I'll pop over soon.
Ruby/Arun, thanks. Love to hear from you!
Chandramouli, I wouldn't have known too if I didn't blog!!! At least the urge to learn more is constantly revived!
Carla, thanks a ton!
W2W, thank you so much!
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