Images Depict Mature Plants
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit IV' Red Rocket
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is celebrated for its vibrant red blooms that last from summer to fall, adding striking color and visual interest to any landscape. Perfect for use as a specimen tree, colorful privacy hedge, or mixed border, this drought-tolerant, low-maintenance tree enhances garden spaces while attracting pollinators.
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Red Rocket Crape Myrtle Trees for Sale Online
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket') is a stunning ornamental tree known for its vibrant red blooms and extended flowering season. This fast-growing crape myrtle produces large, eye-catching clusters of crimson-red flowers from mid-summer into early fall, creating a show-stopping display in any landscape. Its rich, green foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for the blooms, and in autumn, the leaves take on golden and orange hues for added seasonal interest. Reaching a mature height of 15 to 20 feet, Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is perfect for adding vertical interest, acting as a focal point, or creating colorful privacy screens.
This versatile crape myrtle thrives in full sun, where it will produce the most abundant blooms. It is highly adaptable to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as they are well-drained. Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens, urban landscapes, or xeriscaping. Its smooth, exfoliating bark and multi-stemmed growth habit give the tree year-round beauty, even during winter when its distinctive bark patterns are on full display. The Red Rocket variety is resistant to powdery mildew and other common crape myrtle diseases, ensuring a healthy, thriving tree that will grace your garden for years.
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your landscape, whether planted as a specimen tree, as part of a flowering hedge, or in a mixed border for vibrant color contrast. It pairs beautifully with other flowering shrubs and perennials, creating a lush and inviting garden space. With its low-maintenance care requirements, showy red blooms, and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is an excellent choice for adding beauty, color, and wildlife interest to your outdoor living area. Whether you're looking to enhance curb appeal or create a vibrant focal point, Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is sure to bring dramatic beauty to your landscape.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 15 to 20 feet |
| Mature Width: | 15 feet |
| Classification: | Tree form large |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Habit: | Deciduous, densely branched, multi-stemmed habit |
| Flower Color: | Ruby Red flowers in mid to late summer through the first frost |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges a rich glossy green, changing to a equally enjoyable ruby red in the fall |
| Soil Condition: | Any well-draining soil |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting |
| Water Requirements: | Once established, minimal watering is needed |
How to Care for Red Rocket Crape Myrtle
Before you buy a Red Rocket Crape Myrtle, make sure to read about the care instructions that are required and recommended to keep this plant healthy and flourishing.
How do I plant my Red Rocket Crape Myrtle Tree?
To plant your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle tree, start by selecting a sunny location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, as full sun is essential for promoting abundant blooms and healthy growth. Red Rocket Crape Myrtle thrives in well-drained soil, so choose a spot where water does not pool. Begin by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of the tree to allow room for the roots to spread. Position the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with native soil, firming it gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets, and water thoroughly to help establish the tree. Adding a layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, but make sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. After planting, water the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep, healthy root system. Deep watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient, but frequency may need to be adjusted based on weather conditions. If planted in sandy or fast-draining soil, more frequent watering may be needed. Once the tree is established, it becomes more drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. Space multiple Red Rocket Crape Myrtles about 8 to 12 feet apart to allow room for their mature spread and to create an impressive flowering hedge. Proper planting and initial care will ensure your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle grows vigorously, producing vibrant red blooms that bring brilliant color to your landscape for years to come.
How do I water Red Rocket Crape Myrtles?
Watering Red Rocket Crape Myrtles correctly is crucial for promoting healthy growth and ensuring a vibrant display of blooms throughout the growing season. During the first year after planting, water the tree deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil type. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow down into the soil, helping the tree establish a strong root system that will support healthy growth and drought tolerance. Use a soaker hose or let a garden hose run slowly at the base of the tree for 20-30 minutes, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply. It’s important to allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Once established, Red Rocket Crape Myrtles are more drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering. Generally, watering deeply once every week or two is sufficient, particularly during hot and dry periods, to keep the tree healthy and promote abundant flowering. During periods of extreme heat, more frequent watering may be needed to prevent stress, which can cause reduced bloom production or leaf drop. Mulching around the base of the tree will help retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering, but keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. By providing consistent but not excessive watering, you can ensure your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle produces its vibrant red blooms and remains a beautiful feature in your garden all season long.
How do I fertilize Red Rocket Crape Myrtles?
Fertilizing Red Rocket Crape Myrtles is essential for promoting vigorous growth, vibrant blooms, and overall plant health. The best time to fertilize your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is in early spring, just as new growth starts to emerge. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 10-10-10 to provide essential nutrients that will support strong root development and abundant flowering. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the tree, staying away from direct contact with the trunk to prevent burn. Water the tree thoroughly after fertilizing to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots. An organic option, such as compost or well-rotted manure, can also be added to improve soil quality and provide a steady nutrient release throughout the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If you want to encourage even more blooms, consider applying a second, light feeding of a high-phosphorus fertilizer (such as 5-10-5) in mid-summer. Phosphorus helps boost flower production and will help Red Rocket Crape Myrtle deliver an extended flowering season. For mature trees, a single annual feeding in early spring is often enough to keep them healthy and thriving. By following a proper fertilization routine, you can ensure that your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle grows strong, produces vibrant red blooms throughout the summer, and remains a beautiful focal point in your garden year after year.
How do I prune Red Rocket Crape Myrtles?
Pruning Red Rocket Crape Myrtles is important for maintaining their shape, promoting healthy growth, and encouraging abundant blooms. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve the overall health of the tree. Also, thin out crowded areas by cutting away any crossing or rubbing branches to enhance air circulation and light penetration. This helps prevent disease and encourages stronger growth. When pruning, always make clean cuts just above a bud or branch collar to allow the tree to heal properly. To shape your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle, focus on maintaining its natural form, which typically includes a vase-like structure with an open center. Avoid "topping" or cutting back all the main branches, as this can lead to weak, unattractive growth and reduce the number of blooms. Instead, remove suckers from the base, and trim any lower branches to enhance the tree's structure and create a more attractive appearance. Light pruning of the tips can also help encourage bushier growth and more flowers. By pruning carefully and consistently each year, your Red Rocket Crape Myrtle will grow into a healthy, vibrant tree that produces a spectacular display of red blooms throughout the summer.
