Is this crepe a shrub form or a tree form? Is this fast growing or slow growing? Do yall have pics on the red rocket? How much water?
Red rocket crepemyrtle
I'm no expert, but it's my understanding that all regular crapes (not dwarf or miniature) are a shrub that can be trained into a tree. It all depends on the pruning. Left to their own devices, no human intervention, they can become enormous shrubs. Or, they can be pruned to keep the shrubs shorter (6' -10'), or limbed up to the tree form.
Any experts out there? Hazel?
Deb, my neighbor has 2 Red Rockets, and they are spectacular! They are the reddest red I have ever seen in a crape.
His were planted last spring from very large nursery pots. His are growing as shrubs so far, but I expect he will prune them up as trees later on. I think Maggiemoo is right--all the standard size crapes can be left alone to be shrubs or pruned to be trees. If you haven't purchased yours yet, I suggest you get multi-trunk nursery plants. They will really look good as trees. Prune off all but the strongest 3 or 4 trunks, and start removing the bottom branches and leaves, a little at a time if the trunks aren't very thick yet.
My neighbor is a retired nurseryman, and he has everything on his property on a drip system, including the crapes. Given our heat and aridity, that's probably the best way to go. In San Antonio you have a lot of humidity and probably wouldn't need to do that. Crapes in general are supposed to be drought tolerant--they are actually native in these parts--but they need to be kept moist until they are well established. My crapes and my neighbors are both in their second season, and the leaves still burn when the temps soar, even though we keep them wet. Yours will probably do better with your humidity.
Red Rocket is a great choice. I am tempted to replace my pinks after seeing my neighbor's in bloom. BTW: His started blooming about mid-June.
....Pen
Deb789,
Neil Sperry's Gardens magazine, July/August 2005 edition has an article on red crape myrtles. The gist of the article:
1.) All crape myrtles need full sun especially the red ones as some varieties lose their red color.
2.) Once established, they are drought tolerant, but a little extra water and some fertilizer will help them grow faster and bigger.
3.) Don't plant in wet soil or too deeply or they may not bloom for years.
4.) Choose a red variety whose ultimate height fits your garden.
5.) Don't commit "crape murder." Crape mrytles require very little pruning so don't hack it to death or pollard.
There was also a list of reds in and their ultimate size
Dwarf ( Up to 4 feet tall)
Petite Red Imp
Tightwad Red
Victor
Semi-dwarf ( From 4 to 12 feet tall)
Cheyenne
Christiana
Siren Red
Tonto
Tree-size ( More than 12 feet tall)
Arapaho
Carolina Beauty
Centennial Spirit
Dallas Red
Dynamite
Red Rocket
Hope this information helps.
Veronica