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First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-IX'
$7999
  • Out of stock
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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

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.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

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

Plant Highlights

First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    First Editions
  • Botanical Name
    Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-IX'
  • Growing Zones
    7-9
  • Mature Height
    6 - 8 feet
  • Mature Spread
    5 - 6 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Well-Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Flower Color
    Sunset Red
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    Early Spring
  • Bloom Period
    Summer, Fall

Sizzling color combo! The easy-care, no-fuss, reliably stunning color is no problem for this sizzling First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle PP#29,325 (Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-IX'). Start with the flowers.

Sunset Magic™ has true red flowers, not a 'deep red-pink' or 'violet-red' or even 'reddish'. This is the red you want in a 'red' flower. And it's not just a few - these large, crinkled, ruffled flowers cover the entire shrub and flowers more heavily than most other dark-leaved Crapes!

Speaking of dark-leaved - Sunset Magic™ has deep purple-black leaves that will hold their deep color late into the summer! They are flatter and more lustrous than other Crape Myrtles, too, which only makes the red flowers stand out better!

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 7 to 9, Sunset Magic™ grows fast but only to 5 - 10 feet in height but can spread to 4 - 8 feet wide! Hummingbirds and butterflies adore the blooms and you will enjoy the colorfast flowers and leaves all growing season!

Planting and Application:

These Crape Myrtles are highly resistant to typical Crape Myrtle issues, like Cercospora, and make great replacement shrubs for other purple-leaved plants that are less hardy (We're looking at you Purple-Leaved Plums!). Sunset Magic™ is easy to keep short with good pruning, but it stays shorter naturally, so it will already fit into even small gardens without a problem.

Impressive specimens on their own, a single shrub lights up a garden bed or border, anchors a garden design, or creates an impressive corner-softening foundation accent!

For a stunning garden effect plant these with white flowered Crapes or yellow Daylilies! They're sure to stand out! The dark foliage is the perfect foil for other plants in the garden, so use Crape Myrtles as long-lasting backdrops and garden barriers!

Ideal hedges for privacy and screening, you can trim these shrubs down shorter each year and create gorgeous flowering foundation hedges! This high-performing shrub draws your eye, whether you use several planted together to make an informal naturally shaped hedge or keep it trimmed for a formal hedge.

  • Sunset Red Crinkly Blooms
  • Dark Leaves Won't Fade In Heat or Sun
  • Butterfly & Hummingbird Magnets
  • Easy to Grow & Versatile in the Landscape
  • Hedges & Specimens, Large Containers, Foundations & Backdrops

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Whether you spell it Crepe Myrtle or as one-word Crapemyrtle, all you need to keep your Crape Myrtles happy is a sunny location and good drainage and you'll have a picture-worthy garden in no time! Crape Myrtles need regular water until they are established, but then they can become drought-tolerant after that! Top-dress the soil with a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to hold in moisture and enrich the soil.

Deadhead after the flowers fade to keep the shrub tidy and encourage a rebloom later in the season. Prune in the spring to correct the shape because these shrubs bloom on new wood.

  • Full Sun
  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Moderate to Low Moisture
  • Easy to Grow & Low-Maintenance
  • Prune Early Spring

Order the gorgeous First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle from Nature Hills Nursery today and add a sizzling accent to your landscape today!

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.

Customer Reviews

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J
James
Very Happy Customer

I received my Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle today and was blown away by the quality of the tree and care taken in packaging it. I opened the box and kept trying unsuccessfully to slide my tree out and discovered they had attached the bag containing the pot to the bottom of the box to keep it from sliding around. Amazing!! No one I have purchased plants from in the past has ever taken this much care in packaging their plants. The tree was in fantastic condition no broken branches – Perfect. The tree was twice the size and cost less than a crape myrtle I recently purchased online. I am very happy with my purchase and plan on doing business with this company for many many years.

Dear James,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that the quality of the tree and our packaging exceeded your expectations. Our team takes great pride in ensuring each plant arrives healthy and protected, so it’s heartening to know our extra care made a difference for you.

Your keen observation about the pot being securely attached to prevent movement truly highlights the thoughtfulness behind our shipping methods. It’s a little detail we’re proud of, designed to give your plants the best possible start. And we couldn’t agree more that receiving a larger, healthy tree for a great value is a win-win!

As you plant your beautiful Sunset Magic, be sure to give it full to partial sun and well-drained soil to promote exuberant blooms throughout summer. For additional care tips or any other questions about your tree as it grows, don’t hesitate to visit our online Plant Guides or reach out anytime—we’re happy to assist!

Thanks again for your kind words and your trust in us. We look forward to growing alongside you for many years and plenty more plants to come.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

J
James
Very Happy Customer

I received my Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle today and was blown away by the quality of the tree and care taken in packaging it. I opened the box and kept trying unsuccessfully to slide my tree out and discovered they had attached the bag containing the pot to the bottom of the box to keep it from sliding around. Amazing!! No one I have purchased plants from in the past has ever taken this much care in packaging their plants. The tree was in fantastic condition no broken branches – Perfect. The tree was twice the size and cost less than a crape myrtle I recently purchased online. I am very happy with my purchase and plan on doing business with this company for many many years.

Hello James,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that the quality of your tree and our careful packaging exceeded your expectations. Our team truly believes that thoughtful packaging helps ensure your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive, so it’s fantastic to see those details noticed and appreciated.

It’s great that your Sunset Magic tree was healthy, intact, and of exceptional size—you made an excellent choice. As it settles into its new home, remember that Sunset Magic crape myrtles prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Regular watering, especially through the first couple of growing seasons, helps establish strong roots and vibrant blooms, so don’t hesitate to keep the soil moist but never waterlogged. If you’d like, we have some care guides and planting tips on our website that give more detailed recommendations to keep your crape myrtle happy year after year.

We’re grateful to be your chosen gardening partner now and in the future – can’t wait to help you grow your landscape with great plants anytime you’re ready.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

S
Sherrie
Red Crape Myrtle

Seen arrival in The Village's Daily Sun. My daughter in law has always wanted a Red Crape Myrtle. I'm ordering t he Sunset Magic for her birthday.

Dear Sherrie,

Thank you so much for sharing your plans with us! We’re delighted to hear that you’ve chosen the First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle as a special birthday gift for your daughter-in-law. It’s truly a stunning choice—those rich red blooms make a wonderful centerpiece for any garden.

Since this variety thrives best in full sun with well-drained soil, be sure to plant it in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Regular watering during its first growing season will help it establish strong roots. And as a quick tip, pruning your Sunset Magic™ in late winter encourages more vibrant flowering the following summer.

If you ever need additional care advice, planting tips, or just want to share photos of your gift in bloom, we’re always here to help! Wishing your daughter-in-law many joy-filled moments watching her crape myrtle grow and flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

S
Sherrie
Red Crape Myrtle

Seen arrival in The Village's Daily Sun. My daughter in law has always wanted a Red Crape Myrtle. I'm ordering t he Sunset Magic for her birthday.

Hi Sherrie,

Thank you so much for sharing your planter’s journey with us! Your thoughtfulness in choosing our First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle as a special birthday gift for your daughter-in-law warms our hearts. The Sunset Magic is such a captivating variety, and it really shines with its vibrant fiery reds—a beautiful twist on a classic red Crape Myrtle that is sure to bring joy and charm to her garden.

If you’d like, we’re happy to provide tips on planting and care to help her get the most beautiful bloom both this year and for many seasons to come. The Sunset Magic thrives in full sun, appreciates well-drained soil, and enjoys regular watering—especially during its first growing season. Pruning is also helpful to maintain shape and encourage vibrant flowering, best done in late winter while the plant is still dormant.

If any questions or concerns come up once her gift has arrived, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to support your gardening adventure every step of the way!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle

First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle

From $7999

Growing Zones

7-9

Mature Height

6 - 8 feet

Mature Spread

5 - 6 feet

Sun

Full Sun

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

N/A

Flower Color

Sunset Red
View product

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When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden’s USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.