Q: I noticed in a recent column that you spelled the name of a particular Southern plant “crapemyrtle”, not “crepe myrtle” or “crape myrtle”. I thought the name was two words.

A: Every garden writer tries to be consistent in their spelling of plant names, and some do consistently spell it in either of the “two-word” ways you mention. I take my tree and shrub plant names from Dr. Michael Dirr’s “Manual of Woody Plants”. I also use for reference Dr. Allan Armitage’s books on annuals, perennials and vines.