Scarlet Colorama™ Crape Myrtle

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15-20 Feet

Mature Spread

8-12 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 10

The Scarlet Colorama Crape Myrtle delivers searing red flower clusters on a compact, upright tree that thrives in heat and humidity. Expect months of color from summer into fall, plus handsome, smooth bark for winter interest and glossy foliage that warms to orange-red in autumn.

Maturing around 15–20 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide, this deciduous crape myrtle is well suited to front-yard focal points, driveway pairs, and colorful property lines. It’s reliably hardy in Zones 6–10 and notably drought tolerant once established.

Scarlet Colorama Crape Myrtle Care

Give full sun, 6–8+ hours daily, for best bloom. Plant in well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 5.5–7.0) is ideal. Water deeply the first growing season, then water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; once established, it tolerates dry spells. Feed in early spring with a slow-release balanced fertilizer, and refresh a 2–3 inch mulch ring yearly, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

Prune in late winter while dormant to shape and remove crossing wood—avoid “topping.” Hardy in USDA Zones 6–10; in colder Zone 6 sites, choose a radiant, wind-sheltered spot. In large containers, use a high-drainage potting mix and protect the pot from deep freezes.

Scarlet Colorama Crape Myrtle Spacing

For a specimen, allow a 12–15 ft circle and keep 6–8 ft from walls, paths, and driveways. For a hedge or screen, plant 6–8 ft on center for a solid row; 10–12 ft for a looser, airy look. For containers, start with a 18–24 inch wide, 16+ inch deep pot with drainage; place at least 4–6 ft from sunny walls or railings to avoid heat scorch and allow branching.

Stake only in very windy sites; otherwise let the naturally upright, self-branching habit develop.

Why Grow Scarlet Colorama Crape Myrtle?

• Long season of scarlet blooms from summer through fall.

• Upright, self-branching habit fits tight spaces yet reads like a small ornamental tree.

• Heat, humidity, and drought tolerant once established for low-fuss performance.

• Four-season appeal with glossy summer foliage, orange-red fall color, and attractive winter bark.

• Named selection Lagerstroemia x ‘JM1’ PP31585 for dependable, repeatable results.

Bring home a landscape firework that’s easy to live with and hard to ignore. Scarlet Colorama lights up beds, borders, and entryways with effortless color and curb-appeal pop.