Futile plans

In the South, between the burst of bloom in spring and the rave of color in fall, there is a long hot humid summer, which is mostly green. Even annuals tire out mid-season.

Years ago, I made a plan to spice up the green doldrums -- a red and white garden to bloom in July. A man from the local gardenshop looked at the site and suggested crape myrtles. I planted three red crapes against the back fence. White crapes would form a beautiful contrast to the red. Deep green oaks would be the backdrop. That was the plan.

The red-and-white theme continued in the flowersbeds nearby, with white Phlox paniculata "David" and red bee balm, Monarda "Jacob Kline." By the end of fall, all plants were healthy and strong. So far, the plan was working perfectly.

The first summer, the red crape myrtles bloomed a garish pink color. Still, the blooms looked good against the deep green of the oaks and the fluffy white blooms of the other crapes.

By the second year, one of the white trees began to show a smattering of pink blooms, which increased every year. Today, one of the "white" trees is completely pink, in a soft shell tone. The three reds are deep pink. The remaining white crape took a direct hit from an oak tree in a hurricane and has been in recovery for years.

The red and white perennials are gone also. The soil in the bed nearly proved too dry and shady for bee balm and phlox. They were moved and in their places, I am trying white wood aster and black cohosh.

The red and white July garden that I planned years ago is not red or white in July. Summer is green. But I have learned to love the color green. This year, we have gotten ample rain and the garden is lush and verdant.