Red Rocket Crape Myrtle

If your looking for a serious punch of color add Red Rocket Crape Myrtles to your yard! Most people have pink, purple, and white crape myrtles but not red.

Red Rocket Crape Myrtles produce a beautiful, true red bloom from the beginning of July all the way though September. Its dark green foliage really makes the red blooms come to life. In Spring, the new foliage pushes out a dark red changing over to dark green. In Fall, the foliage will turn a bright orange.

The Red Rocket Crape Myrtle will reach heights up to 25 feet tall, and 10 feet wide. You can keep it multi-stemmed or train it to be a one stemmed tree. Either way, this Crape will be a real show stopper. Plant in full sun and provide plenty of water for best results. The more sun, the more red blooms! This crape myrtle is also insect and disease resistant. It is one of the best all around varieties available. Plant in Zones 7-9.

Pruning is not needed but light pruning in spring for structure and support will greatly benefit the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle.

Plant in a hedge, or line your driveway with Red Rocket Crape Myrtles. There are so many uses for this tree. You can plant one on each side of your house to anchor it in. This tree will brighten up your landscape with great color. Are you thinking about installing a island in the front of your home? Add a Red Rocket Crape Myrtle, a boulder, some ground-cover, and some shrubs. It will be spectacular. See our landscape design ideas.

Be sure you choose the right location and have the appropriate conditions for your new Red Rocket Crape Myrtle to thrive. Luckily Crape Myrtles are pretty easy to grow and don't require much maintenance at all. If you follow growing zone guidelines for your particular variety you can plant your crape myrtle just about any time of year. Red Rocket Crape Myrtles grow in zones 7-9. 

These trees prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade and are adaptable to just about any soil as long as it is well-draining. Crape Myrtles do enjoy a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 or 6.5 being ideal, but as long as your soil isn't extremely alkaline there is no need to modify it. Mulching with a 2-3 inch layer of pine straw or pine bark is ideal for crape myrtles. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as these increases the chances of pests and disease. Mulching helps keep soil moist and protects roots during temperature extremes. Crape Myrtles should be watered deeply about 2 times per week after planting for about 3 months. After this establishment period, water deeply about once weekly when conditions are dry. Crape Myrtles are drought tolerant once established. Fertilize in early spring and when planting to give your tree a boost and help it achieve the best blooms. Choose a balanced, slow release fertilizer. If you know your soil is on the basic side choose a fertilizer that is for acid loving plants. Crape Myrtles do not generally require pruning, but if needed, prune when they are dormant to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches. Avoid the need to over prune your tree by choosing a variety that fits best in your chosen spot. You can choose a variety that is only 5 feet tall up to varieties that grow over 30 feet tall. Red Rocket Crape Myrtles grow up to 30 feet tall and about 15 feet wide.

The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering and fertilization are the keys to your success. There are not many pests or diseases that cause severe problems for crape myrtles. Aphids are one of the few pests that attack crape myrtles. Minor infections aren't likely to cause problems, but a severe infection can weaken your tree. You can treat aphids naturally with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. For severe infections use pesticides like carbaryl, also known as Sevin. Red Rocket Crape Myrtles are extremely resistant to Powdery Mildew and other diseases.

You can incorporate a raised bed for your Red Maple Tree. Plant some juniper and even add in a boulder the the bed to give it some more character. Don't forget to add uplighting to your tree. The lighting will really set off your Red Maple as you pull into your driveway at night.