Lagerstroemia x indica Colorama Scarlet™, commonly known as Crape Myrtle, is a vibrant, long-blooming deciduous shrub or small tree known for its intense scarlet-red flower clusters that bloom from mid-summer through fall. This cultivar typically grows 12 to 15 feet tall and wide, with smooth, peeling bark and glossy green leaves that may turn orange-red in autumn. Colorama Scarlet™ offers excellent mildew resistance and thrives in full sun, making it a bold and reliable choice for hedges, focal points, or mass plantings in warm, sunny landscapes.

Why choose Lagerstroemia x indica Colorama Scarlet™

Scarlet blooms: Bright red flower clusters add bold color for weeks

Disease resistance: Strong performance against powdery mildew

Seasonal interest: Attractive bark, summer flowers, and fall foliage

Cultivating tips

Sun exposure: Full sun is essential for best flowering and disease resistance

Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established

Maintenance: Low—prune in late winter to encourage new growth and shape

Designs for your garden

Flowering hedge: Use in rows for a colorful privacy screen

Specimen shrub or tree: Makes a striking centerpiece in sunny beds

Urban-friendly planting: Tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil

Ecological benefits

Pollinator attraction: Blooms support bees, butterflies, and other insects

Bird habitat: Peeling bark and dense form offer occasional shelter

Low input plant: Requires minimal care once established

Similar native alternatives

Looking for a native option? Here are three native plants that offer similar seasonal interest and landscape value:

– Carpinus caroliniana – American Hornbeam

– Quercus rubra – Red Oak

– Betula lenta – Sweet Birch