Hot, dry summers sometimes make the Triangle's landscape parched and brown. While residents scramble for air conditioning and shade, one hardy plant actually thrives on the stress and brightens our heat-ravaged yards.

Crape myrtles come in all shapes and sizes--from ground covers to 2-foot miniatures to 30-foot trees. Their prolific blooms come in a wide palette of red, purple, pink, and white (one southern favorite is appropriately called "watermelon"). Curiously, there is no fragrance to the flowers but their color can last for weeks if they remain on the plant.

Crapes are not picky about soil, although an enriched, well-drained site is ideal. They are drought-tolerant once established, but should be kept watered during the first year. The key to a full head of blooms is an abundance of sun and good air circulation. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, can be a problem among older trees, but newer varieties are now mildew resistant. Pruning at the end of the season encourages new growth in the spring.

While appreciated most for their showy display, the plant's mottled, peeling bark also adds interest after the leaves fall. Crape myrtles can be grown from seed, but they are readily available at local nurseries and garden centers. Use them in groupings, as accent trees or as container plants on your patio.