Red Crape Myrtle Shrub
Lagerstroemia indica 'Rubra'
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Red Crape Myrtle Shrub - 2-3 Feet Bareroot is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
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2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Red Crape Myrtle Shrub highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Fall

Growing Zones 6-10
Splash out with a colorful addition to your summer landscape. The Red Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Rubra') is a widely adapted deciduous plant that provides brilliant color in your yard. Red Crape Myrtles will dazzle you with their amazing structure and clusters of crimson-red flowers that appear as fiery plumes at the tips of their branches all summer long from July to September.
The blooms attract pollinators galore and even a few Hummingbirds! These large shrubs are actually sometimes referred to as Crepe Myrtles because the texture of the robust flower heads looks like crinkled crepe paper!
In the springtime, Red Myrtles leaf out with small glossy green leaves that then transition into a verdant green that endures throughout the summer months. However, as the vivid red blossoms set, the foliage is lost under the beautiful heavy display of red blooms!
When fall arrives, its leaves transform into brilliant reds yellows, and shades of orange for a gorgeous display. Finally, after the leaves drop, the trunk's clean, sturdy appearance visually carries these through the winter. Smooth, tan-gray bark really adds to the year-round appeal of the Red Crape Myrtle.
Crape Myrtles are known for a wide range of colors and sizes. But did you know that the Red Crape Myrtles are by far the most popular? People across the country in Zones 6 - 10 just love the bright blooms of this variety!
Planting and Application:
You'll also be able to grow it as a single-trunk patio tree or as a multi-trunk accent feature specimen. You can even leave the lower branches on to encourage a solid, shrubby screen. It will look great any way you care to use it. Red Crape Myrtles can be pruned to any size, so they work in any lot size in almost any location.
Really, it's impossible to go wrong with this variety. Use one as a standout for a prime focal point in the yard. Or, plant several as privacy hedges, or massed together along the fence as an amazing background splash of color.
Plant in groupings of 3, 5, or 7 shrubs in a curved bed to create a marvelous privacy screen for your deck or patio. You'll love the way it lavishly brightens up your events and backyard barbeques! Growing into naturally rounded forms, or pruned smaller as needed - these are highly versatile!
Red Crape Myrtles are approved by many cities and municipalities for parking lots and planting strips, where they adapt to the harshness of the city environments. This means it will work for you in your yard!
The low maintenance makes them an ideal choice for a container plant. Simply plant in a large decorative container with plenty of drainage holes. Use a standard potting mix and water regularly to enjoy the beauty of the Red Crape Myrtle. Place the containers strategically to block the afternoon sun and shield your party from neighbors or unsightly views. Easy-peasy high style!
The wonderful red blooms would contrast deliciously against an indigo-blue glazed ceramic container. Try crisp white Chippendale-style or cast iron containers as a perfect foil to allow the shrub to take center stage. Or try a sophisticated tonal combination of natural terra cotta with this variety. Northern growers can grow these as annual accents or seasonal container plants and overwinter them in protected, unheated garages or sheds.
- Vivid Red Crepe Papery Blooms
- Bright Green Foliage & Upright Arching Growth
- Hummingbird & Pollinator Friendly
- Decorative Trunk/Bark For Winter Interest
- Incredible Specimen or Focal Point, Hedge & Great in Large Containers
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Red Crape Myrtles tolerate a wide range of soils, from heavy clay to loam, as long as the drainage is good. It's critical to choose a location with well-drained soil, or you'll need to plan to amend with soil conditioners. Plant them in full sun with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. Always select a planting location that favors early morning sun, as this will help to quickly dry the leaves off from any overnight dew.
Provide regular moisture for new plants, but once established Red Crape Myrtle is a top choice where responsible water use is a concern, as it will become drought tolerant once it's established in your yard. You'll see these quite often in drier climates as medium strip hedges because of their moderate height and low maintenance needs. Top the soil with a 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch to provide shade to the root systems. You'll cut down on soil moisture evaporation and extend the periods between watering.
Blooming on new wood, prune to shape in early spring to remove crossing branches and control size. Remove the oldest wood at ground level periodically when renewal pruning every 3-5 years. Deadhead any spent flower clusters as they fade to encourage more blooms during the active growing season. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in the mid-summer. We recommend Dr. Earth Organic and Natural Premium Fertilizer.
- Full Sun For The Most Blooms
- Widely Adaptable To Any Well-Drained Soil
- Drought Tolerant Once Established
- Prune Early Spring
- Deer Don't Prefer the Taste
The Red Crape Myrtle has something to offer whatever the season, and it will certainly offer you enjoyment for years to come. Order yours today at Nature Hills Nursery.
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 multi 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 branchings close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.