One of the joys of August (when the picture above and the last picture were taken) is the lavish blooming of the crepe myrtles in my entry garden. Last year, alas, they had grown so tall that the blooms were almost out of sight so I asked John to perform a chain saw massacre and top the crepe myrtles.
I've avoided showing the extent of the pruning -- not a pretty sight -- while I waited in hopeful anticipation for some new growth. The hard winter and two late freezes have probably delayed things, I told myself, while feeling of the trunks for the coolness of living wood.
They look awful, as you can see below -- and I finally came to terms with the loss of the crepe myrtles. Oh, there's new growth coming from the roots but it will be years before those shoots turn into the beautiful smoothly mottled trunks that make these trees attractive at any time of the year.
Perhaps a huge bottle tree, I thought. Or cut down the dead trunks and do something with them . . . I don't know . . .
And then, yesterday afternoon, when I'd gone out to take a picture of yet another iris, I looked again at the bare trunks . . .
And to my very great joy, there was new growth! Tiny leaves breaking out everywhere!
As it says in the Book of Job (one of my favorites -- not for the theology but for the poetry):
For there is hope of a tree,
If it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,
yet through the scent of water it will bud,
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
Amen and may it be thus. Though I may have to wait a year or so for the blooms.
11 comments:
May it ever be thus. (Just saying.)
May it ever be thus. (Just saying.)
Sorry Vicki. How does that happen. Not so clever in duplicate, if ever clever. But I was happy for you to see that new growth!
I gave up on a clematis today. Would rather have seen new leaves!
What a hopeful post! I can feel the joy in those bursting sprouts. The quote from Job is wonderful.
ah we will see new life...though yes it does take time....you could use the dead trunks to make a bench to sit and watch the new....smiles.
Would you look at that! What a wonderful discovery, Vicki. Maybe you will give us some updating crepe myrtle photographs as spring deepens into summer?
I'd love to see how these branches restore themselves.
xo
It's commonly called "crepe murder" when they are pruned at the wrong time. I'm glad they survived. I don't think I have seen any around here but I'll start looking more closely.
The poetry and the new life seem so very appropriate for this coming Mother's Day weekend. I hope the new shoots flourish and brighten next year's August garden.
You've just learned what I call "The Lesson of the Lilacs." Lilacs don't grow very well in the Georgia heat, but I continue to try. The first year, I gave up on them completely and was about to pull them out. Just before I did that, they bloomed, in their own good time, rather than when I expected. I've found it to be a useful lesson thoughout my life.
Lynne in GA
There may be nothing better than discovering that something you thought was done, isn't. So happy there's new growth. Just think of how awesome it will be when you see those first blooms on the new growth--definitely worth the wait though it will require a season of patience (which I have little of, so I understand your frustration).
Have faith Vicki. Faith is a wonderful thing (smiling). I did the same with a dogwood here (not the same as your dogwood)and I thought that was dead. Then last week I noticed (with relief) that there were new shoots, just like your crepe myrtles. I love those things, which we don't have at all here in England. Keep us informed please as to how they are getting on.
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