Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket'
red rocket crape myrtle tree
Overview
Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket' is a deciduous large shrub or small multi-stem tree with an upright narrowly columnar habit, reaching 18-20 feet (5.5-6 m) tall and 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) wide at maturity in 6-8 years. Multi-stem trunks display smooth gray-tan bark that exfoliates in thin sheets. Lance-shaped leaves measure 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, emerging burgundy-red and maturing to medium green; foliage turns red-orange in October-November. Cherry-red flower panicles, 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long, appear from late June through September, with individual panicles lasting 4-6 weeks and successive flushes extending total bloom to 90-110 days. Flowers are followed by clusters of small brown seed capsules persisting through winter. Growth rate is fast, 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) per year in establishment. Powdery mildew susceptibility is moderate; humid conditions with poor air movement support disease development on leaves and shoot tips. Crape myrtle bark scale has spread through the southeastern United States since 2004 and produces sticky residue and sooty mold. Cold dieback occurs in zone 6 winters and at the northern edge of zone 7 during severe events.
Native Range
L. indica is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent. 'Red Rocket' is a cultivated selection developed by Carl Whitcomb at Lacebark Inc. in Stillwater, Oklahoma and patented in 2000; it does not occur in the wild.Suggested Uses
Used as a vertical accent or specimen tree in residential and commercial landscapes across zones 7-9, planted at 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) from buildings or paths. Planted in groups of three to five trees as a tall narrow screen at 6-8 foot (1.8-2.4 m) spacing where horizontal space is restricted. Container culture is impractical at mature size, though young plants tolerate containers of 25 gallons (95 L) or larger for 5-7 years.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height18' - 20'
Width/Spread8' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Late June through September in zones 7-9, peaking in July-August; bloom may extend into October in zone 9. Individual panicles last 4-6 weeks, with successive bloom flushes producing total bloom of 90-110 days. Flowers open from cone-shaped buds at branch tips after new shoot extension is complete. Removing spent panicles before seed capsules form extends bloom by 2-4 weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
medium green, burgundy-red when emerging, red-orange in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water deeply once per week during the first two growing seasons; established trees tolerate 3-4 weeks without rain in zones 7-9. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of bark or wood chips kept clear of the trunk. Powdery mildew develops on shoot tips and panicles in humid conditions with poor air circulation; an open sunny site with good airflow reduces disease. Crape myrtle bark scale produces sticky residue and sooty mold; horticultural oil applied during dormancy reduces populations. Cold dieback occurs in zone 6 winters and at the northern edge of zone 7 during severe events; top growth resprouts from the base in spring. Lifespan averages 30-50 years in zones 7-9.Pruning
Prune in late winter while dormant, removing crossing, rubbing, and inward-growing branches and trimming wayward stems back to a side branch. Heavy heading cuts that stub stems at the same point each year (so-called crape murder) produce knuckled scars and weak watersprout regrowth, weakening the natural columnar form. Removing seed capsules in late winter encourages stronger first-flush bloom on new wood. Suckers from the base are removed annually to maintain the multi-stem tree form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 25 gallons