The Seven Mountains region is in bloom with purple crape myrtle flowers.

Amidst the April sunshine, during a visit to the Bay Nui region, I was able to once again encounter the vibrant purple blossoms of the crape myrtle trees in the forest.

The vibrant beauty of the crape myrtle trees at the foot of Mount Ket. Photo: THANH TIEN

On a weekend morning, I followed Provincial Road 948 straight towards Bay Nui (Seven Mountains). Although it was early morning, the harsh sunlight was already piercing through the old palm trees. Looking up at the high mountain slopes, I was quite surprised by the purple hues of the crape myrtle blossoms amidst the majestic natural landscape.

Having been connected to the Seven Mountains for a long time, I've witnessed many seasons of crape myrtle blossoms in the forest. This wild tree possesses a powerful vitality in the face of the harshness of nature during the dry season. While other trees shrink from the sweltering heat of summer, the crape myrtle silently prepares for its flowering season. People are busy with the cycle of life, and then one day they realize that the purple blossoms of the crape myrtle have covered the bare branches.

Unlike their lowland relatives, the wild crape myrtle blooms later. However, they excel in terms of abundance and color. Experts say their flowers come in many colors: dark purple, light purple mixed with white, pink, and red. Some trees even produce two or three different colors. Wild crape myrtle flowers have large petals and form abundant clusters. Mature crape myrtle trees almost produce giant flower heads when in full bloom.

Thanks to its beauty, the crape myrtle in the forest becomes a unique highlight in the landscape of the mountains and forests during the sunny season. From afar, you will be overwhelmed by the sight of crape myrtle trees covered in flowers. Up close, they become even more captivating with their delicate, elegant petals, no less graceful than the sophisticated flowers of the city.

For the people of the Bay Nui region, the blooming season of the crape myrtle in the forest is a reward from nature to this land. Not only beautiful in its colors, the crape myrtle also possesses a beauty stemming from its vigorous vitality. Amidst the heat of the land and the dryness of the rocks, the crape myrtle adorns the landscape with dreamy blossoms. The people of Bay Nui cherish the crape myrtle because it symbolizes resilience in the face of harsh nature.

Among the nearly 40 mountains in the Bay Nui region, most are covered in the purple blossoms of the crape myrtle forest during the dry season. I often conquer Mount Cam, Mount Ket, Mount Tra Su… whenever the crape myrtle forest is in full bloom. My local friends on Mount Cam often invite me up there when the crape myrtle is in full bloom. At those times, we search for hillsides with many crape myrtle trees to take photos, and although we repeat this many years, I never get tired of it.

Occasionally, I still climb Mount Ket during the dry season to photograph the crape myrtle trees. Although the path up the mountain is all steep, you will be able to admire the beautiful and majestic scenery of the crape myrtle. At the summit, there are old crape myrtle trees that are very prolific in flowering, which many tourists enjoy and stop to admire.

On Tra Su Mountain, despite its moderate altitude, there is a hill named Bang Lang (Crape Myrtle). Here, there are many wild crape myrtle trees in full bloom, creating a stunning sight. The fallen petals, "past their prime," carried by the gentle breeze, evoke a strange sense of peace in the heart.

Besides its beautiful flowers, the crape myrtle also makes an appearance on the list of wild vegetables. The young shoots of the crape myrtle have a bitter taste and, when eaten with Cam Mountain pancakes, are considered a medicinal herb beneficial to health. Having had the opportunity to go into the forest with the forest rangers, and hearing them share their duties during the dry season, I understood the value of the crape myrtle in the eyes of those who protect the forest. They still enjoy admiring the vibrant blossoms of the crape myrtle trees along their patrol routes to make their journeys more pleasant.

Wild crape myrtle trees are no longer confined to mountain slopes; they have now "joined" the world of ornamental plants. Some people painstakingly search for old crape myrtle trees, then prune and shape them into bonsai forms with various ideas. Because of their vigorous vitality, wild crape myrtle trees have never disappointed those who cherish them. When they bloom, these crape myrtle bonsai trees offer a unique splash of color in the way ornamental plant enthusiasts appreciate beauty.

This year, the crape myrtle season arrived earlier than usual, giving me the chance to rediscover familiar feelings that have been a part of my life for many years. Life changes, old friends have found different paths, but I remain, returning to the blooming crape myrtle season. There, I find images of days gone by, enjoying the rewards nature has bestowed upon me on my journey through life and work!

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/bay-nui-vao-mua-bang-lang-no-tim-a482645.html