Crape Myrtle 'Red Rocket' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Rocket'): Vibrant Summer Color

'Red Rocket' is a popular cultivar of crape myrtle bred for its intense red flowers, upright habit, and disease resistance. It provides months of summer color in warm-climate gardens.

Botanical Profile

Description and Features

This deciduous shrub or small tree grows 15–20 feet tall with an upright, vase-shaped habit. The bark exfoliates to reveal smooth, cinnamon-colored trunks. Large panicles of crimson-red flowers bloom from early summer to fall. Leaves turn orange-red in autumn.

Cultivation and Uses

'Red Rocket' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is highly resistant to powdery mildew, a common issue in crape myrtles. Use as a specimen, in groups, or as a flowering hedge. Prune in late winter to promote blooming on new wood.