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Dynamite Crape Myrtle Tree

Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II' 'Dynamite

Regular price $4908
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Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


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$50 - $99.99 $14.99
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Description

Cherry-red blooms for months! If you want a true red flowering plant to brighten up your landscape, take a good long look at Dynamite Crape Myrtle Tree (Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II' Dynamite). It effortlessly brings an explosion of long-lasting, cherry-red color to your landscape!

Easy care nature and dramatic good looks are paired in this very special variety. It was carefully selected to give the very best red color, and improved disease resistance and drought tolerance. No wonder Dynamite is America's #1 selling red Crape Myrtle!

Dynamite displays deep, cherry red blooms that emerge in large clusters. A unique crinkled crepe paper texture brings a delicacy to the overall look. The flower power starts in mid-summer and dazzles you until frost. This plant literally blooms for months! Crape Myrtles may be the longest summer bloomer of all trees.

With Dynamite, even the foliage is showy. Red-tinted, oval leaves emerge in early spring which gives it a very distinct appearance. The leaves gradually turn a dark green before the summer bloom erupts with those deep, dark, true red blooms. They'll be completely smothered in pollinators as well!

After a fantastic summer of blooms, you may see the autumn leaves turn bright orange to red. The fall color display is dependent on the yearly temperatures during your season.

Cherish those cold fall days you experience in some years. They will boost Dynamite's fall show for you! Get out there with your camera to capture the color in that lovely season.

Even after the leaves drop, the display is not over. Smooth but mottled bark showcases an attractive range of tan, gray, and brown which covers the trunk and branches of the Dynamite Crape Myrtle. You'll love the awesome winter appeal of this four-season ornamental plant.

Planting and Application:

Dynamite is a very popular choice in both home gardens and commercial landscapes for its ease of maintenance! They are ideally suited for either formal or informal design in the home landscape, as street plantings, and in community plantings.

The versatile Dynamite Crape Myrtle can be used a zillion ways around the landscape! Try a single plant as an incredible specimen focal point or perfect accent. Create a formal street planting with regularly spaced plants, pruned up to show off that lovely bark. Add a single specimen to accent a berm planting in the front yard or as an anchor at the corner of a foundation planting.

Plant 3, 5, or 7 of them in a grove to create an instant woodland look, even in a small backyard! Vary the spacing a bit and clump a few closer together. Use a curving planting pattern for the most natural look. Top dress with 3-4 inches of mulch to cover the entire root system and underplant with groundcovers for an attractive, easy design solution.

Dynamite Crape Myrtles can be trained with pruning to be a single-trunk or multi-trunked tree by removing the lower lateral limbs from the main stems. Or, grow it as a privacy shrub and maintain the foliage to the ground.

Prune the lowest limbs up for a tree or leave them on for a shrub. Try both techniques in a mixed planting! The goal is to have fun and personalize your space.

Crape Myrtles make wonderful container plants. Plant Dynamite in a decorative container and enjoy them on your patio or by your pool.

You'll also love these as shrubby, knockout screening privacy plants. Use a natural hedge to easily extend the height of a backyard fence. Or, keep it pruned to any height you wish and use just about anywhere.

When used for hedges or screen plants, plant them 4 to 5 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

There aren't many flowering trees around that are this dynamic, with real red-red flowers that bloom summer through early fall, until frost. This plant is easy to grow and provides year-round appeal in the landscape!

  • Deep Red Flowers!
  • Blooms Last All Summer Long
  • Pollinator-Friendly Flower Clusters
  • Exciting Fall Color
  • Gorgeous Bark Delivers Winter Interest
  • Shrub or Small Tree, Grow in Containers, Hedges & Screens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

The Dynamite Crape Myrtle is adaptable to many different soil types and is resistant to powdery mildew. Plant in well-drained soil and elevate planting if poor drainage is suspected. It does best in warm, full sun areas, making it a great drought-tolerant choice in Southern and Western gardens!

This plant has a moderate to fast growth rate, so you ought to be pleased with its presentation quickly. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer.

Because Crape Myrtles take very well to pruning, you can maintain your Dynamite to any height you desire. Want a low hedge? No problem. Want a naturalized mass planting? No problem.

These shrubs bloom on new growth, so prune in the late winter or very early spring to remove twiggy growth and to shape and maintain height and width. Study our #ProPlantTips to learn more about avoiding "Crape Murder". If you allow it to naturalize as a shrub, it will require very little pruning or other care. Your yard, your time, your call.

Since its introduction in 1998 by Dr. Carl Whitcomb, a well-respected plant breeder from Stillwater Oklahoma, people have sought out this exciting variety.

  • Full Sun
  • Widely Adaptable Across Hardiness Zones
  • Regular Water & Loves Mulched Beds
  • Blooms on New Growth - Prune in Spring
  • Resistant to Powdery Mildew

If it's just gotta be bold, bright, cheerful, and colorful to make you happy, then Dynamite is your Crape Myrtle! Order yours today and enjoy! Order today and let the wonderful dark red bloom ignite your world!

Single Stem, Multi Stem, Shrub Form, Oh My!

Before you buy, make sure you know what you’re getting! Single stem, multi stem, and shrub forms are different so read a bit about which we’re currently offering below.

Single Stem:

These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching. Sometimes, you will hear a single stem referred to as Tree Form.

Multi Stem:

These are plants with 2 or more stems planted together in the ground in close proximity to form a clump. There are times when multiple stems are formed by a tree that branches at the soil line with more than one main stem.

Shrub Form:

These are bushy plants with many stems and branches close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide does the Dynamite Crape Myrtle grow at maturity?

  • Dynamite Crape Myrtle typically reaches 10-15 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide at maturity. This compact size makes it perfect for smaller yards while still providing substantial impact. Allow adequate spacing when planting to accommodate its mature spread.

Does Dynamite Crape Myrtle grow well in my zone (e.g., Northern Virginia or zone 6)?

  • Dynamite Crape Myrtle thrives in zones 7-9, so Northern Virginia (zone 6b-7a) is borderline for reliable performance. In zone 6, expect potential winter dieback and reduced flowering. For best results in cooler zones, plant in a protected location and shop cold-hardy varieties at naturehills.com.

What are the sun and soil requirements for planting Dynamite Crape Myrtle?

  • Dynamite Crape Myrtle thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. These drought-tolerant trees perform best with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize their cherry-red blooms. Plant in slightly acidic to neutral soil and ensure good drainage to prevent root issues.

How much water does a newly planted Dynamite Crape Myrtle need, and how often?

  • Water newly planted Dynamite Crape Myrtles deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. Give them about 1 inch of water weekly, soaking the root zone thoroughly rather than frequent shallow watering. Once established, their improved drought tolerance kicks in and watering can be reduced significantly.

Are Dynamite Crape Myrtle trees deer resistant?

  • Dynamite Crape Myrtles are generally deer resistant, as deer typically avoid the textured bark and foliage of most crape myrtle varieties. The cherry-red blooms and red-tinted spring leaves aren't preferred deer browse. For best results in high deer pressure areas, consider pairing with other deer-resistant plants available at naturehills.com.

How and when should I prune my Dynamite Crape Myrtle for best blooms?

  • Prune Dynamite Crape Myrtle in late winter while dormant, before new growth begins. Remove suckers, crossing branches, and spent flower clusters to encourage reblooming. Avoid heavy topping which reduces flower production.

How is the Dynamite Crape Myrtle shipped, and does it arrive dormant or bare root?

  • Dynamite Crape Myrtles ship as live, potted plants rather than bare root stock. They arrive ready to plant with an established root system in soil. Plant immediately upon arrival or keep the container watered until you can get it in the ground.

What care tips are there for first-year establishment of Dynamite Crape Myrtle, like root treatments or staking?

  • Water deeply twice weekly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Staking is typically unnecessary since Dynamite develops sturdy branching. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

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