Friday, January 6, 2012

Southern California (zone 8) backyard - crape myrtle or jacaranda?

I want a backyard tree that flowers and can provide shade to small backyard. I do not want to buy a patio cover and block entire sky view.. Prefer white or purple. (Spanish style (red tile roof) home, cobble pavers backyard with grass. needs to handle Santa Ana winds. I was thinking either cm or jac, but my gardening education is limited as I am a new gardner, new mother and new homeowner with no/little research time. Suggestions welcome.

Southern California (zone 8) backyard - crape myrtle or jacaranda?
Go with the crepe myrtle:doesn't grow to the size of a Jacaranda,doesn't make as much mess,and will not disturb any paving.Jacarandas can grow to an enormous size and can take 5-10 years to flower if not grafted species.Both are semi-deciduous with the mottled bark of the crepe myrtle a good sight,can be lightly pruned unlike the Jacaranda which will shoot all over the place,including suckers.For your situation I would strongly recommend the myrtle..check out the varieties eg colours at your local nursery.Good Luck.
Reply:tipu juanna brazilian umbrella tree
Reply:A crape myrtle is definitely better for you. Jacarandas are prettier (I think) but they are a pain in the butt. They are very messy. It's not just the leaves and flowers, they produce this stick sap that mists from the trees when they are in bloom. Eveything nearby will be covered in it. I also think the jacs would not do as well in zone 8 (the do great in LA and it's like zone 12-14 I think). More beautiful than the myrtles are bougainvillea. A classic plant for a spanish style home in CA. It handles drought and dry winds very well. That is the plant you typically see across LA. It comes in many colors: purple, pink, rose, white, and yellow-orange.
Reply:Jacaranda

From:

http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantnam...



"Open, oval-headed deciduous tree. Airy fern-like foliage usually drops in December. Lavender blue flowers, in 8 to 12 inch long clusters, appearing throughout the summer. Young plants sensitive to temperatures below 25 degrees F. Prefers sandy soils. Ocean winds tend to inhibit flowering."



Plant Care from:

http://www.worldplants.com/plantcare.htm



"Jacaranda Outdoors where hardy, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist in winter."

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Crape Myrtle:



http://ag.arizona.edu/gardening/news/azd...


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