Add a touch of vibrant color and elegance to your garden with Red Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), a stunning deciduous tree or shrub known for its showy red flowers and long-lasting bloom period. Perfect for creating a flowering hedge or screen, Red Crepe Myrtle thrives in warm climates and is easy to grow with minimal care. Its striking blossoms attract pollinators, while its attractive bark adds year-round interest. Whether used as a focal point, hedge, or ornamental tree, Red Crepe Myrtle brings beauty, color, and texture to any landscape.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant Red Flowers: Produces stunning clusters of vibrant red flowers during the summer, adding a bold splash of color to your garden.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making this plant a fantastic addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.
• Low Maintenance: Red Crepe Myrtle is a low-maintenance plant, requiring little care once established, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
• Versatile Growth Habit: Can be grown as a tree or shrub, and is often used as a hedge, screen, or ornamental focal point.
• Year-Round Interest: Beyond its summer blooms, the tree’s smooth, attractive bark and rich fall foliage provide visual appeal throughout the year.
• Drought Tolerant: Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for water-wise gardens.
• Cold Hardy: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9, Red Crepe Myrtle can withstand moderate cold temperatures and still thrive.

How to Plant Red Crepe Myrtle Seeds

Planting Season:

Plant seeds in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date for an earlier start.

Seed Preparation:

Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting to improve germination. Scarifying the seeds (gently nicking them with sandpaper) can also help break dormancy.

Planting Instructions:

• Depth: Plant seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil.
• Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings 3-5 feet apart if growing as a shrub or hedge, or give them more space if growing as a tree.
• Light Requirements: Full sun is ideal for Red Crepe Myrtle. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
• Soil: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, well-draining soil. Sandy loam works well, but it can adapt to a variety of soil types.

Water and Care

• Watering Needs: Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination phase. Once established, Red Crepe Myrtle is drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm climates with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 95°F (21°C to 35°C), but it can tolerate a mild winter when planted in the right hardiness zones.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can result in lush foliage but fewer blooms.
• Pruning: Red Crepe Myrtle can be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Prune to shape the plant or remove dead wood. Regular pruning also encourages more blooms.

Perfect For

• Hedges and Screens: Ideal for creating a flowering hedge or privacy screen, Red Crepe Myrtle adds beauty and structure to your landscape.
• Pollinator Gardens: Its vibrant flowers attract a variety of pollinators, making it a key addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
• Landscaping: Perfect for planting as a standalone ornamental tree or shrub, or in mixed borders for added height and color.
• Low-Maintenance Landscaping: With its minimal care requirements and drought tolerance, it’s perfect for low-maintenance landscapes.
• Decorative Borders: Great for planting along driveways, walkways, or garden borders, creating a striking visual element.

Recommended Coverage

A packet of Red Crepe Myrtle Seeds will cover approximately 50-75 square feet, depending on planting density and spacing.

Bring Color and Beauty to Your Garden with Red Crepe Myrtle

Order your Red Crepe Myrtle Seeds today and start growing this beautiful flowering tree or shrub in your garden. With its vibrant red flowers, low-maintenance nature, and ability to attract pollinators, Red Crepe Myrtle is the perfect addition to any landscape. Grow it as a hedge, screen, or ornamental focal point, and enjoy its stunning beauty year after year!