Garden Debut Crape Myrtle

About this plant

Lagerstroemia x Colorama Scarlet, or Garden Debut Crape Myrtle, is a show-stopping ornamental tree celebrated for its brilliant, long-lasting scarlet-red flowers. Blooming profusely from summer into fall, this cultivar creates an unforgettable spectacle, drawing the eye and adding a luxurious touch to any landscape design. Beyond its dazzling blossoms, 'Colorama Scarlet' offers attractive exfoliating bark that provides year-round interest, revealing smooth, cinnamon-colored underlayers. Its upright, rounded form makes it an excellent choice for a specimen tree, a striking accent in perennial borders, or a vibrant addition to mixed plantings. This variety is also notable for its good resistance to powdery mildew, ensuring a healthy and beautiful display. Originating from the Garden Debut series, this Crape Myrtle has been bred for exceptional garden performance, promising a vigorous growth habit and a consistent, colorful show. Its adaptability to various soil types and urban conditions makes it a versatile and low-maintenance choice for both novice and experienced gardeners, delivering high impact with minimal fuss.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal pruning; remove spent blooms for a tidier appearance and to encourage more flowers. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or crossing branches. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release formula. Tolerant of urban pollution.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.