The Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, is one of the most ideal choices for a tree in a small garden, backyard or patio. It is also fairly modest in its water needs and so is particularly suitable for dry and Mediterranean gardens. It has an attractive form, delicate leaf texture and as a deciduous plant, looks good when out of leaf, not least due to its reddish pealing bark.

It is usually chosen however because of its amazing flower display in the summer months; Crape Myrtle blooms being one of the highlights of the gardening calendar. While being impressed by flower display alone is normally a bad reason for choosing a particular tree species, in the case of Lagerstroemia, by virtue of its small size and non-aggressive roots, an exception can be made. In fact the flower color is so significant that uniquely perhaps among trees, it determines the pruning method to be adopted.

Evergreen trees, a hearty, charismatic tree thrives in specific landscapes, preferring climates that are bound for a long, cold winter season. Evergreens prefer the cold and snow. It's where their blooming growth gains the most strength. Hot, humid climates, on the other hand, are less conducive to growth. Just ask an evergreen. Its way too hot and sticky for this dense, stiffly needled tree.

In specific area in the United States, such as Minnesota for example, evergreens grow in an environment where half of the year the deciduous trees and shrubbery are leafless. The perennials lie dormant due to the cold climatic features present in this stretch of North America. In fact, nearly six months out of a twelve month calendar year in chilly Minnesota are snow-bound. The landscape and its tree inhabitants must evolve to greet these chilly temperatures with a smile and an understanding. The evergreen has grown thick needles with dense branching systems. Since trees can't pick up and re-locate if they get cold, the evergreen has evolved into a robust tree that prefers ice and snow in lieu of the humid beaches of tropical landscapes.