Landscaping Design with Crape Myrtles

Dallas Texas Landscaping Entrance and Doors

This Dallas Red crape myrtle creates stunning welcome. And here is my same old question: wouldn’t a loropetalum or two allowed to grow to their natural height and state have been better than that pruned and sheared (lots of work) barberry? Wouldn’t a dwarf loropetalum under the crape have worked better than the pruned holly (again, lots of work)? But no question about it, these are lovely, but could the same impact be had with shrubs that do not require pruning and shearing?

Landscaping can change a home’s appearance. Lovely example of traditional and native Texas plants. The Cotoneaster does not require pruning nor do any of the shrubs here. Much easier yard to maintain.

Landscaping can change a home's appearance. Lovely example of traditional and native Texas plants.

Landscaping can change a home’s appearance. Lovely example of traditional and native Texas plants. Dallas more so than Austin (no offense) I believe mixes native Texas plants with plants that just plain old do well in Texas. This is a perfect example of a high impact, low maintenance yard.

Seminole Crape Myrtles exceeds 25 feet. These roses were gone last time I checked. A victim of rose rosette disease.

Cherry Razzle Dazzle Crape Myrtles as Shrubs are a good substitute for Knockout Roses. Knockout red roses have a scarlet color the you find in the Cherry Razzle Dazzle crapes.

Could or should this crape and magnolia combo have been planted closer to the drive and a bit farther from the house, or would that have helped? Should this home owner have chosen a more urn shaped crape than this rounded umbrella shape? These are thoughts to ponder. Everywhere you see pruned/sheared evergreens consider what could have been planted that would have worked and not have required pruning. Everywhere you see a straight row consider what an inverse and outward curve would have produced instead.

Crape myrtles as shrubs that bloom all summer! That’s abelia in the background. Do consider that for the sake of the bees! They love abelia. Honey bees are moving toward the endangered species list and they love, love, love abelia.

Pale Pink Perennial Petunia and crape myrtles with mealy blue sage and Salvia Greggii. Perfect combination of low maintenance beauty with flowering perennials and crapes. You can see the purple and red crapes complimenting this perennial display.

In addition to being a beautiful plant summer phlox blooms with crape myrtles. This makes a stunning joint display.

Muskogee Crape Myrlte Lavender with Summer Phlox

Muskogee Crape Myrtle with summer phlox. In addition to being a beautiful plant summer phlox blooms with crape myrtles. This makes a stunning joint display.