my grandpa’s crepe myrtle vs. the neighborhood rules

Every summer, my grandpa’s crepe myrtle bursts into color, just like the ones that lined the streets of my childhood. He always says, “People need to see this beauty!” But these days, our HOA frowns on anything that doesn’t fit their tidy, uniform look. Grandpa remembers when gardens were wild and personal—each yard told a family’s story. Now, neighbors whisper about trimming branches and sticking to the rules. I stand with Grandpa, remembering the scent of those blossoms after a summer rain, how we’d sit on the porch and watch bees dance. But some folks say crepe myrtles are too messy, too old-fashioned, or not suited for our changing climate. They want drought-tolerant gravel or neat hedges instead. Is it wrong to want a little wild beauty, even if it ruffles a few feathers? Should we honor tradition, or make way for new ideas? Every time I see Grandpa tending his tree, I feel the tug between past and present, nature and order. What would you choose for your own yard? #CrepeMyrtleMemories #GardenTraditions #HOAvsHeritage #Gardening