The Midnight Magic crepe myrtle is a stunning and enchanting plant that adds a touch of elegance and beauty to any garden or landscape. It is a unique variety of crepe myrtle that stands out due to its striking deep purple foliage and vibrant pink flowers. This particular crepe myrtle is often called "Midnight Magic" because of its dark foliage that resembles the night sky. The leaves are a rich, velvety purple color that creates a dramatic contrast against the bright pink flowers that bloom in the summer months. The flowers of the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle are abundant and clustered together, creating a visually stunning display. The pink petals are delicate and showy, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.
April 30th Beltane (Celtic)
This festival of witches has a lot of tradition. Known as Beltane or Beltain (Celtic), May Eve (Central European) or Walpurgisnacht (Germany), this is a celebration of the power and sacredness of sexuality. The followers of the Old Religion met on mountaintops and danced the spiral dance. Men and women mated in the open fields – “enjoying” each other was expected! Babies that resulted from these celebrations were called sons and daughters of Pan, or Cernunnos, since all men represented him. The ancients believed that the Good Earth appreciated the sexual energy expended in her fields and that this stimulated the fertility of the crops and animals as well as the vitality of the community.
Many people also hang blessed sprigs of foliage from houses and barns to ward off evil spirits, or they leave pieces of bread spread with butter and honey, called ankenschnitt , as offerings for phantom hounds. Known as Beltane or Beltain Celtic , May Eve Central European or Walpurgisnacht Germany , this is a celebration of the power and sacredness of sexuality.
The pink petals are delicate and showy, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. This adds to the overall magical appeal of this plant. One of the benefits of the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle is its adaptability to various soil types and climates.
Pagan Holidays for April 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010
Happy April Fools. We can thank the Norse for that who had their Festival of Fools today which happened to be an Observance to their God Loki. Loki seems to get a bad rap now a days but don’t be fooled by the Trickster. He might have liked to play tricks on men but he was never considered good or evil. Loki was…well what he was and Odin adored him.
Today those in Rome will call upon Venus for fertility. The festival was called Fortuna Virilis. Its also the Kalends of April.
The Egyptians are holding their festival for Hathor today.
Friday April 2
The German tradition of ‘carrying away of death’ was today. They would make dolls out of straw and then burn them. This represented the death of Winter.
In France we would see something called Battle of the Flowers. If there was one you wished to be your lover, you would take a flower and throw it at their heart.
Saturday April 3
Today Greece will celebrate Persephone as she rises once again to the living world, leaving the side of Hades. Don’t worry. She’ll return again to her lover come Winter.
While Greeks celebrated the Goddess’ return, they also had a festival for her mother Demeter as well.
In Egypt, this is the Day of the Counting of Thoth.
Sunday April 4
In Rome today we are going to see the start of a Festival called Megalesia which will honor Cybele—the Mother of the gods.
Today in Egypt, Ma’at, was said to judge the souls which would come before the gods.
It can tolerate a range of soil conditions, including clay and sandy soils, and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in full sun, making it an ideal choice for sunny areas in your garden. Another appealing aspect of this crepe myrtle variety is its manageable size. It typically grows to a height of around 4 to 6 feet, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as an accent plant in larger landscapes. The Midnight Magic crepe myrtle also has a relatively slow growth rate compared to other crepe myrtle varieties, making it easier to maintain and shape. To ensure optimal growth and blooming, regular pruning is recommended. This includes removing any dead or damaged branches and thinning out the canopy to allow for better air circulation and sunlight penetration. In summary, the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle is a captivating plant that brings a touch of magic to any garden. Its deep purple foliage and vibrant pink flowers create a stunning contrast, making it a standout feature in any landscape. With its adaptability and manageable size, this crepe myrtle variety is a popular choice among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance and beauty to their outdoor space..
Reviews for "Choosing the Right Varieties of Midnight Magic Crepe Myrtle for Your Garden"
1. Heather - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The foliage is advertised as having vibrant colors, but in reality, it was rather dull and lacked the captivating beauty I was looking for. Additionally, the blooms were not as abundant as I had hoped, and they had a tendency to wither quickly. Overall, I found the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle to be underwhelming and not worth the investment.
2. David - 1 star
I am extremely disappointed with the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle. Despite following all the care instructions diligently, the plant struggled to thrive. The leaves were yellowing and developed an unattractive appearance, and the blooms were sparse and lackluster. I tried different soil conditions and fertilizers, but nothing seemed to improve its health. Considering the cost of this plant, I expected much better results. I would not recommend the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle to anyone looking for a reliable and visually appealing plant.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I purchased the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle for its advertised year-round beauty, but sadly, I did not enjoy my experience with this plant. While it did produce some stunning foliage in the spring and summer, the color changes were not as dramatic as expected. Moreover, the plant struggled during the colder months and often lost its leaves, leaving it looking rather sad and bare in my garden. For the price, I had anticipated a hardier and more visually striking plant. Unfortunately, the Midnight Magic crepe myrtle fell short of my expectations.
4. Jason - 3 stars
The Midnight Magic crepe myrtle has its pros and cons. While I appreciate its compact size and ability to fit into smaller gardens, I found the foliage to be rather uninteresting. The colors did not pop as I had hoped, and the leaves often had a muted appearance. On the positive side, the blooms were decent, although not as abundant as other crepe myrtle varieties I've seen. Overall, it's an average plant, but I wouldn't choose it again if given the chance.