Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit IV'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- la-ger-STROY-mee-a IN-dih-kuh
- Description
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Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit IV' or Red Rocket® Crape Myrtle is an ornamental, deciduous flowering shrub or small tree cultivar with panicles of brilliant cherry-red flowers that bloom in mid- to late-summer. This cultivar was created and introduced by Dr. Carl Whitcomb, a researcher and professor, at the University of Florida and Oklahoma State University. He has created a variety of cold-hardy cultivars with improved disease resistance. Red Rocket® is an upright, multistemmed shrub, growing 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. The foliage emerges crimson in the springtime and matures to dark green. The orange and red fall colors finish out the season in a showy display.
It is easy to grow and does best in a hot, sunny location and in moist, well-drained soil. A layer of organic mulch will help keep the plant retaining moisture. Flower production and growth performance improve when it is not pruned back in winter since the plant blooms on new wood. It is drought- and heat-tolerant and highly resistant to powdery mildew. It is hardy in zones 6 through 9.
Consider as an accent, container, or mass planting.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Generally insect- and disease-resistant. Monitor for aphids, scale, and Japanese beetles. May be susceptible to chlorosis in alkaline soils.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common crape myrtle pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lagerstroemia
- Species:
- indica
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- The flower nectar attracts bees. Birds enjoy the tree has their habitat.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Textural
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Large clusters or panicles of cherry-red flowers at the tips of the branches. The panicles may be up to 20 inches or more. The flower buds are dark crimson. May rebloom.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The young leaves emerge crimson and mature to dark green. The fall foliage is orange.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Insect Pests
- Urban Conditions
