Red Rocket Crape Myrtle (Single Trunk Tree)

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!

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