Red Rocket crape myrtle

Sun

Full sun, preferably at least 6-8 hours daily; choose a warm, sheltered position in cooler climates.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established plants tolerate some drought, but prolonged dryness reduces flowering.

Soil

Well-drained soil, from sandy loam to clay that does not remain waterlogged; slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal.

Height

15-25 ft (4.6-7.6 m)

Spread

10-20 ft (3-6 m)

Flowers

Large clusters of cherry-red flowers from midsummer into early autumn. Some flowers may open pinkish or nearly white during cool or cloudy weather.

Foliage

New leaves emerge reddish, mature to green and may turn orange-red in autumn; autumn colour varies with conditions.

Growth

Fast in warm climates with adequate moisture; slower in cool summers.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.2 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.4 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.6 m)

5. After 5 years

   10 ft (3 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone becomes dry.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunks.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; excess nitrogen encourages leaves rather than flowers.
• Allow enough space for the mature crown rather than relying on repeated size reduction.
• In cooler districts, plant in a sheltered, sunny position away from frost pockets.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, remove dead, damaged and crossing branches and unwanted basal shoots; flowers form on new growth. Retain the natural framework and do not cut the main trunks back to stubs.

Late winter

Prune lightly before growth starts, preserving the main trunks and natural crown.

Spring

Plant after severe frost has passed in colder districts; refresh mulch and water new plants thoroughly.

Late spring

Check emerging shoots for aphids and watch for powdery mildew.

Summer

Water deeply during extended dry spells, especially while the plant is establishing or flowering.

Early autumn

Stop feeding and avoid pruning that would encourage tender growth before winter.

Late autumn

Collect fallen leaves if leaf spot has been troublesome and check that mulch is not touching the bark.

• Use as a specimen tree in a sunny lawn or broad planting bed, where its flowers and winter branching can be seen.
• Plant behind ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials for a strong red summer focal point.
• Train with several trunks beside a terrace to show off the peeling bark, allowing room for the mature crown.
• Repeat along a wide driveway or garden boundary for a loose flowering avenue.

Garden styles it suits: Southern, Traditional, Modern Mediterranean, Modern courtyard, Hot border and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Catmint, Autumn sage, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Switchgrass and Lilyturf.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen for bees and other insects. The branches offer cover and occasional nesting sites for small birds.

• Aphids can cause sticky honeydew and black sooty mould: wash small infestations off with water and conserve ladybirds and other predators.
• Crape myrtle bark scale, particularly in parts of the United States, appears as white felted patches on bark: confirm the pest locally and use a regionally recommended treatment timed to crawler activity.
• Powdery mildew or leaf spot can occur despite this cultivar's good mildew resistance: provide full sun, avoid crowding and remove diseased fallen leaves.
• Poor flowering or winter dieback often follows insufficient summer heat, shade or severe cold: use the warmest suitable site, avoid excess nitrogen and wait for spring growth before removing apparently dead wood.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a significant poisoning hazard, although it is not grown as food.

• Dynamite crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II')

  Another red-flowered cultivar with a very similar habit. Red Rocket often has particularly large, upright flower clusters, but a nursery label is more reliable than appearance alone.

• Ordinary crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

  The species has the same leaves, peeling bark and crinkled flowers, but flower colour and mature size vary widely. Cherry-red flowers alone do not establish that a plant is Red Rocket.

Lagerstroemia honours the Swedish merchant and naturalist Magnus von Lagerström, indica means 'of India', and crape myrtle refers to the crinkled, crape-like petals and myrtle-like leaves.

Propagation. Root softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer under humid conditions. Seedlings do not reliably retain the Red Rocket cultivar's characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Lagerstroemia indica

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states, Pacific Basin and Puerto Rico.

Native range

Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Hainan, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Measured

Soil pH 5 to 7.5. Average height 670 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.