Red Rocket Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit IV’ PP11342

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-30′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′
Spacing: 10-15′ for solid hedge, 22’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Broad Canopy, Rounded Canopy

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: Bright Ruby Red

Flowering Period: Summer – up to 110 days!

Flower Type: Single flowers in large rounded to elongated clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fall Foliage Color: Orange-Red

Fragrant Foliage: No

Bark Color: Light Brown

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Moderate Drought, Heat

Description

When it comes to flowering trees, there’s simply no others more showy than Crape Myrtles. They bloom for up to 100 days during summer, when there are few other trees and shrubs providing that service in the landscape. Colorful fall foliage and attractive exfoliating bark in winter enhance their overall appeal. It’s no wonder they are so wildly popular among designers and gardeners!

Adding up to 5 feet in height per year, Red Rocket is the fastest growing red Crape Myrtle we know of. Its large clusters of bright, ruby-red flowers nearly cover the tree for up to 110 days during summer! The dark green leaves turn to vibrant orange and red in fall and contrast nicely with the light-brown bark. Red Rocket is a tall grower up to 30 feet in height so is best used as a tree in the landscape.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 20 o 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is ideal for use as a specimen tree, in groupings, or to line a driveway or property lines. It can be grown as a large shrub however we think it looks its best when lower branches are removed to form a very attractive and colorful tree. Excellent around patios, decks and other outdoor living areas where it will provide some shade. Whether planted as a specimen or in groupings, this is one plant that is sure to stand out in the landscape! A fine addition to red theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 10 to 15 feet apart for solid hedge; 22 feet or more apart for space between trees

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Crape Myrtle is not winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

The Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is very easy to grow and care for. It is not picky about soil type provided the soil is well-drained. A moist but well-drained soil of average fertility is preferred. Full sun is preferred and results in heavier flower production. Light shade is tolerated but flowering will be diminished in more shade. Has shown excellent resistance to powdery mildew and is quite drought tolerant when established.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Crape Myrtle trees.

How To Plant A Crape Myrtle In The Ground Or In A Pot

How To Prune a Crape Myrtle Tree the Right Way

How To Fertilize & Water A Crape Myrtle

How To Prune a Dwarf Crape Myrtle

Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

Very pleased with my purchase. Larger than anticipated as I ordered the same Red Rockets from another online nursery and they were not as tall.
Trees came in healthy good condition and are doing well. Shipped right to my door through Fed Ex.
Fed Ex is a great choice for shipping as my items never get lost or delivered to the wrong address like some of the competition. Would defiantly recommend and will purchase from them again in the near future.
Great experience,—————————————————-Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Red Rocket is exactly what I wanted and this plant didn’t disappoint me. It came perfectly protected from shipping and was in great shape After a few days acclimation it went into the ground and it has taken hold. I am hoping to be able to add some before and after pics soon. Thanks for a great, healthy plant. Oh, I go the large size and it was so worth it.!—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived quickly and the change in just 17 days is incredible. Thank you Wilson Bros for making my 1st ever planted tree so easy.——————————————————Thanks so much for the photos! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Our Red Rocket Crape Myrtles arrived in just a few days after ordering… in perfect shape! Packing was excellent and the plants were thriving! We planted them (in summer heat 109 deg) and within 2 days they were sprouting new growth. 1 plant had 2″ new growth in 4 days… and they just keep going and have a few blooms after 8 days. They were nowhere near root bound and so easy to plant without disturbing their roots. This is the best plant ordering/buying experience I’ve ever had (and that’s a long time!) whether online, mail order, or in a nursery. I had some questions and the response was quick and useful! I highly recommend Wilson Bros for the variety of plants, the information, the customer service, and, of course, the quality of the plants! I’ll be back for more, for sure!—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I bought this for a priest friend who wanted a place for R&R. He has a small piece of property. We saw this trees in OBX. It is fast growing and rated for his zone. I look forward to seeing it grow.————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope he enjoys for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived in perfect condition! Can’t wait until it blooms!—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received a three gallon Red Rocket. It arrived in perfect condition, and not even being close to root bound. This is probably the healthiest potted plant I ever received from an online nursery.

A beautiful plant delivered to my door in perfect condition, I can hardly wait to see it bloom. The leaves are so glossy and pretty with their red color tones too. Beautiful plant delivered in mint condition!————————————-WBG Reply: Hi ______, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Absolutely excellent service and most healthy Red Rocket crepe myrtle tree! We appreciate your outstanding endeavors! —————– WBG Reply: Hi Katherine – We appreciate you allowing us to serve you! Thanks so much for providing your review of the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle. We hope you enjoy this beauty for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent Wilson | Wilson Bros Gardens