Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)

A year after last July’s fluke rain storm broke off a Crape Myrtle, the tree is rallying and even blooming.

Before we could decide what to do about losing one of a matching pair of Crape Myrtles flanking the front walkway, the tree was sending up shoots.

Wait-and-see seemed to be as good an option as any at the time and now from the broken base a shrubby tree is forming. Whether it will be healthy in the long-term is unclear but it surprised us this week when large panicles of pink flowers appeared.

Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)- Flowers and Buds

It is raining this July too, often several times a day, making it difficult to keep up with gardening chores. This week there is a new baby rabbit exploring the meditation circle plants and a Cardinal family with young ones at the feeder. Thursday a box turtle positioned himself at the bottom of the front steps and watched the downpour.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)