Known for its beauty, long blooming period and hardiness, the “Tree of 100 days” is being celebrated at McDonald Garden Center’s 30th annual Crepe Myrtle Festival. In its more than a quarter-century salute to a tree that beautifies landscapes across Hampton Roads, the 2012 Crepe Myrtle Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, July 21-23, at McDonald Garden Centers in Hampton, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
The McDonald Crepe Myrtle Fest was created to be an informative, fun-oriented experience. The free-to-the-public event features a plethora of crepe myrtles, plants, flowers, exhibits and food and refreshments for the entire family. The Crepe Myrtle is a magnificent tree that is found and loved throughout Hampton Roads. Much of the crepe myrtle’s appeal is about color, and the festival has grown not only around the colorful tree, but on providing a colorful atmosphere of fun, information and activity during the dog days of summer. This year’s festival features a wide range of participating organizations, including master gardeners, horticultural societies, beekeepers and more. Many McDonald Garden Center customers have been anticipating the festival weekend, ready to cash in on their Myrtle Money, which they’ve been collecting throughout the spring. Myrtle money is redeemable dollar for dollar at the Crepe Myrtle Fest for up to 50 % off the regular price of any item.
These beautiful trees are originally from China and have been in cultivation in the United States for more than a century. The tree can be seen all over Hampton Roads, lining many area city streets in its wide range of colors and sizes. Now is the peak of these tree’s 100-day blooming period. Be sure not to miss this year’s Crepe Myrtle Fest!