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Young House Love » Budget Blooms » Budget Blooms: Myrtle Magic

| By Sherry Petersik | August 27, 2009 | 67 Comments

Budget Blooms: Myrtle Magic

Thanks to two pretty major road trips, August almost slipped away before I could share my monthly bouquet (a super sweet Christmas present from the hubs). Just like last month’s lush lilies, this month’s blossoms didn’t hail from the grocery store. Again we bucked the normal $3-5 bouquet and headed outside, this time to snip one pretty hot pink branch from the crape myrtle on the side of our house. Here’s my lovely free flowering branch living it up in a blue glass vase on the mantel in the living room:

August Flowers1

For those of you who live too far north to enjoy Crape Myrtles (amazing trees that runneth over with pink or white blooms pretty much all summer long), might I recommend moving to the south to enjoy them? They’re planted along almost every road and around virtually every shopping center and they truly make a former northerner like myself feel like I’m in a Disney movie. I practically expected birds to land on my arms and fashion me a dress out of curtains when I moved here back in 2005.

August Flowers Detail

The pop of hot pink really wakes up the entire living room, and the raspberry tone mixed with the soft blue vase is an unexpectedly awesome pairing- especially in our otherwise light and airy home. Gotta love how something so small can make such a big impression.

August Flowers2

So what about you guys? Have you snagged any cheerful flowers courtesy of your backyard or your local grocery store? We’d love to know what blooms are tickling your fancy these days and what bouquets your backyard is bearing without breaking the bank.

Wanna see our first grocery store bouquet from last January? Itching to check out February, March, April, May, June, and July too?Just follow the links for some pretty sweet cheap-o (and even free) bouquets.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Budget Blooms

Reader Redesign: From Pink To Perfect
Reader Redesign: Working With Whatcha Got

Comments

  1. Avatar for mandimandi says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    i snagged branches from the myrtles just a couple weeks ago! i loved how cheerful they were… except they do tend to leave little flower droppings all over the surface they’re sitting on!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for DonitaDonita says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    These flowers are my all time fave, for just $5.00 at Walmart. :-)

    http://mccartyandcompany.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Jen Z.Jen Z. says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    Very pretty!!! We have a Crape Myrtle in our front yard on Long Island. :-) We love it. But this year, it just started to bloom about a week ago. I think it was all the weird weather this year and it threw it off from it’s bloom time. So hopefully we will get to enjoy it for the next month. We have the same color as you do. Love it. I will have to cut some once more blooms come up.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for jenniferjennifer says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    strawflowers are the newest thing to tickle my floral fancy. bought some seedlings at the farmer’s market this spring and they’ve really done well. they’re excellent as dried flowers too.

    http://jenandross.smugmug.com/photos/631263071_yWCyC-L.jpg

    Reply
  5. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    So pretty! I’ve always loved the color combination of light blue and cranberry.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for TianaTiana says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    So pretty! The color is gorgeous against the blue glass!

    I’ve been buying flowers from my local Stop & Shop. They always have small bouquets 3 for $12 and if you dig through, there are some really pretty bunches.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for LoriSFLoriSF says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    In May, I love to take cuttings from the lilac bush in our back yard. They smell so sweet and are gorgeous, too!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Liz FutchLiz Futch says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    I love Crape Myrtles! We have several planted around our house that we started from just very small plantings (or should I say my husband started :}. They are in their 3rd full year of bloom and are coming along nicely. My father-in-law used to grow them (South GA) and sell them. He has about 50 or so planted on his property. They are so pretty when in full bloom! We go help him prune them around Thanksgiving time.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Jenny @ DIY NewlywedsJenny @ DIY Newlyweds says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Very pretty and such a nice gift idea! We just planted a Crape Myrtle in our NJ yard this summer. It’s still getting used to the new lay of the land, so it’s not really blooming yet though. I’ve been mothering it to make sure it survives the hot summer!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for jennjenn says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    really LOVE the juxtaposition of bright pink and light blue. good choice!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for JennelleJennelle says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    I love crepe myrtles! We live in MO and though about planting some in our side yard, but we’re going for privacy and the ones up here just don’t do as well as they do in the South. Seeing them everywhere is one of my favorite parts of our every-other-year trek to Orange Beach.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Starry-Eyed Barefoot BrideStarry-Eyed Barefoot Bride says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    WOW thats great!! It really is such a beautiful pop of color. Yall rock.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    I remember going to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Texas about 11 years ago and my parents loved the Crape Myrtles so much that they bought 2 and checked them for the plane ride home to Michigan. Sadly, they never made it through the winters.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for PamelaPamela says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    We definitely love our crepe myrtles down here! In our neighborhood we have light pink, magenta, white and deep purple.

    Unfortunately ours are struggling this year due to a ball moss infestation, but I’m hoping to get that cleaned up by next season. I never thought of bringing a branch indoors as a bouquet. Great idea!

    Any for everyone else with one of these trees, please, please, please do not hack your tree back at the end of the season. They are meant to be trees, not bushes and just look awful when cut all the way back.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Lori HLori H says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Love your pretty pink shot of color! My favorite flowers this summer are snipped from my new Limelight hydrangea. Beautiful! And they dry a pretty green too.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for BethneyBethney says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Down here in Florida the crape myrtles are full bloom everywhere!!! My husband and I have been considering planting a white one in our front yard. They are so pretty and bloom for forever! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for - Sarah :-)- Sarah :-) says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    McStudly and I LOVE us some crepe myrtles! We’re probably replacing our tree with one next spring. Can’t wait!!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for DD says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    Hydrangeas from my mom’s back yard! I love that even when they dry out they look pretty!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for BethanyBethany says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    This may seem like a silly question… but I’ve been curious about it for awhile, so I thought it was worth asking. I love how John gave you that beautiful West Elm vase for Christmas with the promise of 12 fresh bouquets for each month of the year. Sooo thoughtful and a great gift that keeps on giving!!

    I know we are all on a budget, and finding ways to save extra pennies is a high priority. However, I’m wondering… with so many of your “monthly bouquets” costing zero dollars and zero cents and hailing straight from your yard, how does this still fit in the “gift” category? I’m all for handmade/homemade/low-cost gifts, but was just curious how a clipping from the yard fulfills the original promise of a fresh bouquet each month.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm

      Hey Bethany,

      That’s so funny! John does so many sweet things for me on a monthly basis (cooks dinner almost every night, rubs my feet, scratches my back, does all the laundry, watches my silly girl TV shows, etc) that it could easily be argued that he goes above and beyond every month whether he springs for a bouquet or we get one free from the backyard. I think we both figure that purchasing a bouquet during months when we have free ones on hand seems silly- unless the time comes when we’re having a dinner party and want some extra blooms around (at which point I’d have no problem pointing out that my monthly bouquet has yet to have been purchased). The gift was really more about making a commitment to have something fresh and lovely around and to “treat myself” to that eye candy on a regular basis- which happily can be achieved for no dough during the summer months. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for YansyYansy says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Sherry- I love the color combo. Gotta love the free flowers!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    We always saw crape myrtles on our trips south and thought them the most beautiful bushes/trees. Recently I have seen them here on Long Island-and this year more than ever! They are amazing and I will have to figure out where to find them. Up here, if I did find them, they would probably be sooo expensive. Have you ever bought plants/trees from a catalog? I think I may have to go that route…I love John’s gift and that’s that!
    ~Nancy

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm

      Hey Nancy,

      We actually haven’t ever purchased plants/trees from a catalog but we’d love to hear if you’re able to get a Crape Myrtle that way! Keep us posted and good luck…

      xo,
      s

  22. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Oh how I love Crape Myrtles!! Out here in California, just like Virginia, they are everywhere!! They line streets, shopping centers and my very own apartment complex…yay! I just wanted to share with you that we have beautiful light violet ones too :O)

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Anna at modern bathroom vanityAnna at modern bathroom vanity says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    These flowers look so so pretty! I have never seen these before! I wish I had a backyard where I can make a little garden with all the beautiful flowers. Amongst all the flowers I have to admit that roses are still my favorite, but I also loves the smell of lilac :-)

    Reply
  24. Avatar for ChristelChristel says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    As awesome as crape myrtles are in the spring and summer they are awful in the fall and winter. Just ugly sticks! But sure enough every spring comes back around and BAM they remind you they are one of the best shrubs/trees out there! Little tiny pink flowers have been covering my driveway for months now. love.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for teresateresa says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    Your Disney analogy cracked me up- I’m a big fan of crape myrtles too- Love your site.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Thalla-MarieThalla-Marie says

    August 27, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Do share where that lovely lotus tea light is from, its stunning!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 27, 2009 at 6:11 pm

      That’s actually from HomeGoods… snagged for just a few bucks. Two I think! That store is chock full of cheap treasures- you just have to dig around for them!

      xo,
      s

  27. Avatar for The MrsThe Mrs says

    August 27, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    How do you keep your crepe myrtle blossoms from shattering after they’re cut from the tree?

    Even if I take a cutting the day the blossoms open, they’re in pieces by the next morning.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 27, 2009 at 7:33 pm

      The Mrs,

      Hmm, I don’t know why yours fall apart so fast. Maybe it’s a different variety of Crepe Myrtle? Ours has lasted about five days so far with only a few petals fluttering to the ground. Maybe there is something you can add to the water to make them more durable (like a penny or a splash of soda- we’ve heard they stiffen things up)? You also might have them in the sun on a window ledge so they’re wilting faster? Maybe keeping them in a more shaded place might help?

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for RebekahRebekah says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    We have two HUGE, lovely, white crepe myrtles in our backyard and I have no idea why I never cut them and bring them indoors. Goodness knows no other blooming thing escapes my clippers!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for cozy kitchen by the seacozy kitchen by the sea says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    OOOOOOOOOOOOOo I have 2 purple crape myrtles…and it never even occurred to me to clip them and put them in a vase…………I’m running out the front door right now !
    THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
    wooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooo

    Reply
  30. Avatar for CaitlinCaitlin says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    so pretty!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for shelleyshelley says

    August 27, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    You totally motivated me. I think I’ll go pluck some flowers from my yard right now! :)

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Beth FustonBeth Fuston says

    August 27, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    Hey Guys! I adore you and your blog! I check it a couple of times a day to see any new posts. :) I was so excited today when I saw the post on crepe myrtles. I have two big ones in my backyard and love using them for flower arrangements. I especially love the fact that they are free! We would love to have you “crash” at our place anytime you are in Austin!!! I have posted a couple of pictures! Check them out and keep up the fabulous work!!!

    http://simplyfabulous1.blogspot.com/2009/08/crepe-myrtle-love.html

    Reply
  33. Avatar for codycody says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    Those are pretty! I’ve never seen (or heard) of these crepe myrtle before! They really remind me of bougainvillea which are everywhere here in the Southwest and California. I wonder if they are related?
    Right now I have been channeling your bouquet a month by purchasing roses at Albertsons. You can get 1 dozen for 6.99 on Fridays..they are 5 dollars off and they have pretty much every available color! They last a long time and I just love how they brighten up our house!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for priscillapriscilla says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    so i have just moved to the south (nashville) from the north (boston) and am infatuated w/ crepe myrtles! i am astounded by how many there are down here and how long they keep their blooms. gorgeous! we just bought a house, and i’m hoping to plant quite a few next spring.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for AimeeAimee says

    August 27, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Very pretty, especially with that vase! What a gorgeous hue of blue.

    Flowers from the garden are my favorites, and something that I take advantage of all summer long. :)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for DiannaDianna says

    August 28, 2009 at 12:31 am

    I love wild flowers. I grow them in pots outside every summer. The wild flowers bloom all summer giving me plenty of flowers. I put a few wild flowers in small vases and have them in rooms through out our house.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for christina in nhchristina in nh says

    August 28, 2009 at 12:34 am

    brb fainting from wanting that vase so bad ;_;

    Reply
  38. Avatar for Paula GracePaula Grace says

    August 28, 2009 at 2:00 am

    I miss the lilacs of upstate NY. We have them in VA but not nearly as many and the fragrance is not as potent as there. I would always pick some and have them in my home when they were blooming. I may need to visit the next Lilac Festival they have in my hometown.
    Paula Grace ~
    http://www.paulagracedesigns.blogspot.com

    Reply
  39. Avatar for crazylovescompanycrazylovescompany says

    August 28, 2009 at 6:19 am

    I’m off to go cut a piece of my crape myrtle now. Never occurred to me. You make it look great.

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KatyWKatyW says

    August 28, 2009 at 8:21 am

    Hey Youngsters — love the raspberry crape myrtle in the soft light blue vase. Magic.

    Crape myrtles ROCK. We have 2 and I LOVE THEM!

    Did you know, their nickname is The 100 Days Tree, because typically they bloom for 100 days in the good old summertime.

    Happy Friday!! Happy weekend!! Thanks for all you do to help us beautify our little corners of the world.

    XOXO Katy

    Reply
  41. Avatar for mariannemarianne says

    August 28, 2009 at 8:55 am

    I just want to say what a lucky girl you are, even though I am sure you already know it. John cooks dinner and does the laundry!?! Wow, just wow. Hang on to that one!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 28, 2009 at 9:53 am

      Hey Marianne,

      I know right? I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I’m super fortunate that John grew up in a house with three sisters so he doesn’t mind helping out (since he shared those sort of responsibilities growing up and his mother never taught him those were “girl chores”). To try to keep things feeling fair around here, I do all of the cleaning (vacuuming, dusting, toilet grossness) and also do my best to always unload the dishwasher and unpack all the groceries once we carry them in from the car. It’s all about equality here at Casa Petersik!

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for LeslieKLeslieK says

    August 28, 2009 at 9:20 am

    We live in the South and I love these trees, but never knew what they were called! Thanks!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

    August 28, 2009 at 9:39 am

    I absolutely love that vase!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for WendyWendy says

    August 28, 2009 at 9:48 am

    I first fell in love with crape myrtles when I worked as a rep in Arkansas about 13-14 years ago. Gorgeous, and their nicely shaped blooms always remind me of lilacs. I was just through Virginia at the end of July and absolutely loved seeing them growing wild everywhere. Most of them were the same deep fuschia ones like yours.. but there were a lot of the white and deep purple ones, too. Love them!

    When I lived in CT I loved the fact that Alexander Magnolias and rhododendrons grew wild.. more gorgeous pink colors.

    My fave flower to cut and display in the house here in Michigan are my peonies in every color. Nice scent and huge blooms.. perfect.

    Reply
  45. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    August 28, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Oh! I love that hot pink and frosty blue color combo!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Jen Z.Jen Z. says

    August 28, 2009 at 10:02 am

    Nancy from Long Island. I have ordered from this site before and they have Crape Myrtles.

    http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/HECMP.html
    Well the one that they have on their site is a little different looking then mine.

    We live on Long Island as well. Good luck with your purchase Nancy.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for BarbaraBarbara says

    August 28, 2009 at 10:27 am

    I’ve snagged a few blooms from my neighbors Crape Myrtle. Only they didn’t last long…maybe a few days. Did you cut them in a special way or add anything to the water to maintain the blooms?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 28, 2009 at 10:33 am

      Hey Barbara,

      Hmm, I don’t know why yours fall apart so fast but we didn’t do anything special to maintain the blooms. Maybe it’s a different variety of Crepe Myrtle? Ours has lasted almost a week so far with only a few petals fluttering to the ground. Maybe there is something you can add to the water to make them more durable (like a penny or a splash of soda- we’ve heard they stiffen things up)? You also might have them in the sun on a window ledge so they’re wilting faster? Maybe keeping them in a more shaded place might help?

  48. Avatar for ErinErin says

    August 28, 2009 at 10:49 am

    I love that vase! Where did you get it?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 28, 2009 at 10:57 am

      Hey Erin,

      The vase was a gift so we’re not sure where it’s from but we’ve seen similar versions at places like TJ Maxx and HomeGoods (on the cheap too). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for MelindaMelinda says

    August 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    I live in Texas, and we have 5 crape myrtles planted around our house. They are so beautiful and grow incredibly fast! There’s actually a crape myrtle trail throughout my city that has so many different colors! They range from white, to pale pink, to a beautiful lilac purple, and dark red.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for Heather DHeather D says

    August 28, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    I love the way the crepe myrtle blooms mimic the coral next to the vase…

    As for me, I have gardenias that I cut the blooms off and float in a shallow bowl of water..they smell so good in my kitchen!

    Reply
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