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Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

$13995 $19995
Height
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Risk-Free 1 Year Warranty
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

Planting Instructions for Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle in full sun for the best growth and the most abundant red blooms. Plants in too much shade produce fewer flowers and are more prone to leaf diseases. It grows in USDA Zones 6 through 10 and thrives in hot, sunny climates. In Zone 6, choose a warm, sheltered spot for the best winter protection.
  2. Soil Preparation: Crapemyrtle adapts to a wide variety of soil types as long as the soil is well drained. It does not like soggy roots, so avoid low spots that stay wet after rain. Loosen the soil over a wide area and mix in some compost if your ground is heavy clay.
  3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, so the tree sits at the same level it grew in the pot. Scarlet Colorama grows 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. For a flowering hedge or screen, space trees about 8 to 10 feet apart, and keep them several feet away from buildings and walkways.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply after planting to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunks, to conserve moisture and reduce weeds while the roots establish.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to build strong roots. Once established, Scarlet Colorama is highly drought tolerant and typically needs extra water only during extended hot, dry periods.
  2. Fertilizing: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can support healthy growth. Avoid overfeeding, especially with high-nitrogen products, which produce lots of leaves but can reduce blooming. Once established in decent soil, many crapemyrtles need little or no feeding at all.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Full sun and good airflow are the best protection against powdery mildew and leaf spot, which are more common in shade. Check the leaves in summer for aphids and the sooty mold that can follow them, and watch the bark for white, felt-like crape myrtle bark scale. Treat early with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if needed.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Remove crossing, damaged, or crowded branches to encourage fuller growth and more prolific blooming. Avoid topping or cutting the main trunks back hard, which weakens the tree and spoils its natural shape.
  2. Winter Care: In the warmer part of its range, no winter protection is needed. In Zone 6, a layer of mulch over the root zone in late fall helps protect young trees. Crapemyrtles leaf out late in spring, so be patient before assuming winter damage, and prune out only wood that stays bare once others have leafed out.

Additional Tips for Growing Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

  1. Long Summer Bloom: Scarlet Colorama blooms from mid-summer into fall with large clusters of vivid red flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Snipping off spent flower clusters on young trees within reach can encourage an extra flush of blooms later in the season.
  2. Fall Color and Winter Bark: The deep green summer leaves turn warm shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall. In winter, the smooth, exfoliating bark shows off shades of gray and brown. Plant it where you can see the trunks from indoors to enjoy its multi-season interest.
  3. Privacy Planting: For a flowering screen along a property line, plant a row with trees about 8 to 10 feet apart. They fill in quickly, since Scarlet Colorama is a fast grower that can bloom well within a few seasons of planting.
What Customers say about the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle:

The Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle thrives in Zones 6-10

Growing Zones for the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 6-10
Mature Height 15-20 ft.
Mature Width 8-12 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full Sun
Botanical Name Lagerstroemia indica 'Scarlet Colorama'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle - NationwidePlants.com

Beware- not all Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtles are the same.

Be sure to get superior crapemyrtles, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" crapemyrtles to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtles in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall crapemyrtles in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

Scarlet Colorama™ covers itself in vivid red flower clusters through the hottest part of summer.

  • Vivid red blooms from mid-summer into fall
  • Fast-growing tree reaching 15-20 ft. tall and 8-12 ft. wide
  • Color in every season: red, orange and yellow fall leaves, then peeling winter bark
  • Highly drought tolerant once established; hardy in zones 6-10

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "5-6 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtles Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak crapemyrtles grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take longer to fill out and bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtles, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means your tree settles in quickly and starts giving you those bright red blooms sooner.

Read more about the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle – Stunning Red Blooms and Year-Round Elegance

The Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle is a striking, fast-growing ornamental tree that produces eye-catching, vibrant red blooms all summer long. Known for its heat tolerance and low-maintenance care, this crapemyrtle offers a dazzling display of color in the warmest months and adds multi-season interest with its beautiful foliage and bark. Perfect for creating a bold statement in gardens, along property lines, or as a specimen tree, the Scarlet Colorama™ delivers exceptional beauty and charm to any landscape.

Key Features of Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle:

  • Vivid Red Blooms: Produces bright red flowers in abundant clusters from mid-summer through fall, offering a vibrant pop of color.
  • Fast-Growing & Versatile: Reaches 15-20 feet tall, making it ideal for gardens, borders, and landscape focal points.
  • Year-Round Interest: Features rich green foliage in spring and summer, transitioning to warm fall colors and showcasing its textured bark in winter.
  • Heat-Tolerant & Drought-Resistant: Thrives in USDA Zones 6-9, tolerating hot, dry summers and a variety of soil conditions.
  • Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for, requiring full sun and minimal watering once established.

Dazzling Red Blooms for a Vibrant Summer Display

The Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle is known for its intense, deep red flowers that bloom in large clusters, adding a fiery burst of color to your landscape during the height of summer. These long-lasting blooms appear in mid-summer and continue to brighten your garden well into the fall, ensuring a season-long show of color. Whether planted as a specimen tree or used in groupings, the vivid red blooms create a bold visual impact that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, bringing beauty and life to your outdoor space.

Perfect for Any Garden or Landscape

Growing 15-20 feet tall and wide, the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle is an excellent choice for a variety of landscape applications. Its compact size and upright growth habit make it perfect for smaller gardens, driveways, or walkways, while its bold color and fast growth allow it to serve as a striking focal point or privacy screen in larger landscapes. Whether planted as a single specimen or as part of a flowering hedge, the Scarlet Colorama™ brings vibrant color and structure to your yard.

Year-Round Beauty and Ornamental Value

Beyond its summer blooms, the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle continues to impress throughout the year. Its deep green foliage provides a lush backdrop to the red flowers during the growing season, while in the fall, the leaves transition to warm shades of red, orange, and yellow. In the winter, its smooth, exfoliating bark reveals striking shades of gray and brown, adding texture and visual interest when the tree is bare. This multi-season appeal ensures that your landscape stays attractive and colorful, even during the colder months.

Heat-Tolerant and Drought-Resistant

The Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle thrives in hot, sunny climates and is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for regions with hot, dry summers. It grows best in USDA Zones 6-9 and performs well in a variety of soil types, as long as the soil is well-drained. This resilience makes the Scarlet Colorama™ a perfect choice for southern gardens or areas with challenging growing conditions, offering beauty and bold color without the need for constant watering.

Low Maintenance and Easy to Grow

The Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance tree that requires minimal care once established. It thrives in full sun and benefits from well-drained soil, but it adapts well to a variety of growing conditions. Light pruning in late winter or early spring encourages fuller growth and more prolific blooming, though the tree is naturally resilient and requires little intervention to remain healthy and beautiful. Its resistance to common pests and diseases makes it a hassle-free choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

Bring Bold Red Beauty to Your Landscape – Order Your Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle Today!

Transform your garden with the stunning, long-lasting red blooms and year-round beauty of the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle. Perfect for gardens, borders, or as a focal point, this easy-to-grow tree adds vibrant color and charm to any outdoor space. Order today from Nationwide Plants and enjoy fast, reliable delivery of this exceptional tree right to your door!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

How big does a Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle get?

Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle grows about 15 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide at maturity. Its upright form fits well along driveways, walkways, and property borders, and it also works as a striking specimen tree. Give it enough room to reach its full size without heavy pruning.

When does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle bloom?

Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle blooms from mid-summer into fall, producing large clusters of vivid red flowers. The long-lasting blooms keep coloring the landscape for weeks during the hottest part of the year and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Full sun is key to the heaviest flowering.

What zones does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle grow in?

Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle grows in USDA zones 6 through 10. It thrives in hot, sunny climates and handles heat and humidity with ease, making it a favorite for Southern gardens. In zone 6, plant it in a warm, sheltered spot for the best winter protection.

How fast does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle grow?

Scarlet Colorama is a fast-growing crapemyrtle that fills in quickly and can bloom well within a few seasons of planting. Full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering during the first year help it establish and grow at its best pace.

Does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle need full sun?

Yes, Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle needs full sun for the best growth and the most abundant red blooms. Plants in too much shade produce fewer flowers and are more prone to leaf diseases. Choose an open, sunny spot with well-drained soil, and avoid low areas where water collects.

When should I prune a Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle?

Prune Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle lightly in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Remove crossing, damaged, or crowded branches to encourage fuller growth and more prolific blooming. Avoid topping or cutting the main trunks back hard, which weakens the tree and spoils its natural shape.

Is Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle drought tolerant?

Yes, Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle is highly drought tolerant once established. Water deeply and regularly during its first growing season to build strong roots. After that, it typically needs extra water only during extended hot, dry periods, which makes it a great low-maintenance choice for sunny landscapes.

Does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle have fall color?

Yes, Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle offers multi-season interest. Its deep green summer leaves turn warm shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall. In winter, its smooth, exfoliating bark shows off shades of gray and brown, adding texture and visual interest after the leaves drop.

How far apart should I plant Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtles?

Space Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtles about 8 to 10 feet apart for a flowering hedge or screen, since each tree matures around 8 to 12 feet wide. For individual specimen trees with room to show off their form, space them farther apart. Keep them several feet away from buildings and walkways.

What soil does Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle need?

Scarlet Colorama Crapemyrtle adapts to a wide variety of soil types as long as the soil is well drained. It does not like soggy roots, so avoid planting in low spots that stay wet. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can support healthy growth, but avoid overfeeding, which can reduce blooming.
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