Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia x ‘JM1’ PPAF

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 8-12′

Spacing: 8′ for solid hedge, 16’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded Canopy

Growth Rate: Moderate, Fast

Flower Color: Scarlet Red

Flowering Period: Summer into Fall

Flower Type: Single flowers in rounded clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fall Foliage Color: Orange Red

Fragrant Foliage: No

Bark Color: Brown to Tan

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Moderate Drought, Heat

Description

When it comes to flowering trees, there’s simply no others more showy than Crape Myrtles. They bloom for up to 100 days during summer, when there are few other trees and shrubs providing that service in the landscape. Colorful fall foliage and attractive exfoliating bark in winter enhance their overall appeal. It’s no wonder they are so wildly popular among designers and gardeners!

Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle produces abundant and colorful clusters of hot scarlet-red flowers come to life against gorgeous deep green foliage from summer through fall on this new selection that 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. This beauty will provide up to 100 days of explosive color during summer. But the color show doesn’t stop after the summer flowers. The handsome dark green leaves of Colorama Scarlet turn to vibrant shades of orange and red in fall. Peeling grey-brown bark provides interest in the landscape during winter. An excellent flowering tree that will set your yard on fire during summer!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide, the Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle is ideal for use as a specimen tree, in groupings, or as a hedge in landscape borders. Perfect to frame the corners of homes and other buildings. Whether planted as a specimen or in groupings, this is one crape myrtle that is sure to stand out in the landscape!

Suggested Spacing: 8 feet apart for solid hedge; 16 feet apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle is very easy to grow. It is not picky about soil type. A moist but well-drained soil of average fertility is preferred. Full sun (7 or more hours of sun per day) is preferred and results in heavier flower production. Light shade is tolerated but flowering will be diminished in more shade. Has shown excellent resistance to powdery mildew and is drought tolerant when established.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Crape Myrtle trees.

How To Plant A Crape Myrtle In The Ground Or In A Pot
How To Prune a Crape Myrtle Tree the Right Way

How To Fertilize & Water A Crape Myrtle
How To Prune a Dwarf Crape Myrtle
Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Arrived lush and healthy. Looking great in the ground———————————————-Thanks for the awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG