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Crape Myrtles at the Florence Cemetery

The crape myrtles are really beautiful this year. The prettiest ones I've seen are at the Florence Cemetery. There they have enough room to spread naturally and I love the way they have been pruned. They were at their prettiest a few weeks ago so I'm a bit late getting these photos.

I don't know the variety but most of them look the same. I've always thought that I would be perfectly happy with a job landscaping a cemetery like this. The Florence Cemetery is lovely and I go there often. I wish more cemeteries would put more emphasis on the landscape. So many consist of just green lawn. Florence Cemetery is one of the few with stately older trees and beautiful shrubs. 









 






Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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sanda said…
Hi Phillip
I agree with you that the crape myrtles are particularly beautiful this year. I love the white Natchez best, but all are beautiful. A plant with much mileage!
Have a great weekend,
Sanda
August 10, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said…
Spectacular and beautiful trees - I have heard of them but not seen them before.

I agree about cemeteries. Cemetaries are not really for the dead but for the living who mourn them. It's odd that this doesn't seem much to be taken into account. Instead of being places of reassurance and reflection they can be a bit bleak.
August 10, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Ann said…
The crape myrtles really have put on a show this year. If you haven't been - do try and stop by Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. I believe it might have the same kind of ambiance as your beautiful Florence cemetery.
August 10, 2012 at 9:56 PM
Hoover Boo said…
Really beautiful, and yes lovely shapes--they've been well cared for--or at least not mutilated. They've just been starting to appear here in significant numbers the past ten years or so, and are a wonderful small tree. Thanks!
August 10, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Loui♥ said…
beautiful!
I felt the same way about Fairmount Cemetery in Denver..especially when the Peonys and Roses were blooming.
It is a beautiful peaceful place..
with many places to simply sit and think..
I too wish more emphasis would be on landscaping than simply green grass..
thanks for sharing..
Loui♥
ps.. please disconnect the verification thingy!
August 10, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Lisa at Greenbow said…
Wow, those are some huge beauties. Around here we rarely see any that big. I think they die back some winters.
August 11, 2012 at 4:26 AM
ProfessorRoush said…
Spectacular, Phillip! There are two main cemetaries here in Manhattan; "Sunset" and "Sunrise". Sunrise is a newer cemetary, low markers, only grass allowed, very depressing. Sunset is the older cemetary; trees, peonies, and even a few roses cover the graves. Much, Much better.
August 11, 2012 at 4:37 AM
Katrina W. said…
You are right. After the Japanese beetles finally left the Florence area, the Crepe Myrtles finally got a chance to come into their own and shine. I have noticed that it has been a particularly good year for them everywhere I have had an opportunity to travel this summer. Just found your blog this morning. Thanks for your work!
August 11, 2012 at 5:35 AM
Sue Ellen said…
They are truly beautiful this year. I doubt mine will ever look like this because I am probably really pushing the zone. Even knowing that they may die back in some cold years, I will take that chance to enjoy them in the years that I can.
August 11, 2012 at 7:13 AM
Gardener on Sherlock Street said…
So pretty and it's nice to see the old cemeteries with great plantings like this.
August 11, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Anne Boykin said…
Lovely! I can't really pick a favorite color. They are so beautiful when they grow to their true size and glory.
August 11, 2012 at 5:42 PM
Casa Mariposa said…
Beautiful!! They must be around 20+ years old. They're so stately yet exhuberant. :o)
August 11, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Firenze said…
One of my favorites and such beautiful photos. Thanks, Phillip. Yes, there was a tremendous cold snap here Christmas of 1983. All the Crepe Myrtles died, but returned slowly from the roots, so some now have about 30 years of growth. Let's make a plea with everyone to stamp out crepe murder.
August 11, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Carol said…
Oh my gosh these are some beauties! I love how they have spread out also! I never noticed them as much until I lived in Mobile. There are some nice ones there also. Thanks for sharing! Carol
August 12, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Les said…
You are right about old cemeteries. They are great places to find specimen trees. The crapes in your shot are lovely. Tuscarora maybe?
August 14, 2012 at 4:07 AM
debsgarden said…
It is wonderful to see crepe myrtles allowed to grow as nature intended! Many people don't realize what magnificent trees they can become. We had an enormous crepe myrtle behind our house when I was a child. It was taller than the two story house and nearly as wide. I had a lot of fun climbing it! The largest crepe myrtle in your photos reminds me of it.
August 14, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Unknown said…
Just beautiful! When you have a chance, you need to come to see Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. Many of us who garden seriously also volunteer there one day a month, and it's always a great day. It would be fun if you could make it for the second Saturday of one month when we're all there. I think you'd be in heaven!
August 15, 2012 at 3:57 PM
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