| If you really want to give the gift of color this | | | | compared to the deep indigo hues found in the |
| holiday season, skip the clothing and jewelry and | | | | red Dynamite. The Red Rocket has quite the |
| instead consider a crape myrtle tree for your | | | | impressive resume -- it's the fastest growing |
| home and garden. These fast growing trees are | | | | crape myrtle hybrid and the cone-shaped clusters |
| very ornamental, with clusters of papery flowers | | | | of flowers can reach up to 20 inches. |
| that bloom in a bevy of color options. | | | | "This tree doesn't beat around the bush, so to |
| Crape myrtles are highly decorative trees that | | | | speak," Zboch said. "It's got beautiful bright red |
| also provide shade due to their combination of | | | | flowers and shoots up like a rocket." The Red |
| thick leaves and plentiful flower buds. | | | | Rocket is highly resistant to drought and powdery |
| Unfortunately these trees were naturally | | | | mildew, and can be planted 5 feet apart for a |
| susceptible to myriad problems: powdery mildew, | | | | colorful privacy fence during the summer months. |
| sooty mold and aphids. Powdery mildew develops | | | | With a blooming period of four months, Zboch |
| in late spring and fall and causes leaves, young | | | | noted that this is the tree that keeps on giving. |
| buds and flowers to be heavily coated with a | | | | "Even in the late summer months, your lawn will |
| white mold that can distort new growth. Infected | | | | glow with brightly colored flowers." |
| buds may not open, and severely infected leaves | | | | For those seeking trees bright but not so red, |
| and buds often drop early. This prevalent | | | | Pink Velour Crape Myrtles are the answer. With |
| predator in particular can be devastating to crape | | | | flowers that are best described as hot pink, these |
| myrtles. | | | | trees blooms from spring to fall. Combining form |
| Thanks to a breeding program undertaken by the | | | | with function, these hybrids are highly mildew and |
| U.S. National Arboretum, scientists have developed | | | | pest resistant, and still lusciously attractive and |
| a series of hybrid crape myrtle trees that are not | | | | fragrant. Zboch referred to this particular tree as, |
| only attractive but extremely disease and pest | | | | "a true Southern Belle," and noted that the Pink |
| resistant. | | | | Velour grows in zones 6 through 10, meaning it is |
| Fast Growing Trees Nursery offers the most | | | | adaptable to climates and soil types as far as |
| popular crape myrtle hybrids: Dynamite Crape | | | | southern Florida. |
| Myrtle, Red Rocket Crape Myrtle, Pink Velour | | | | Muskogee Crape Myrtles can climb to heights of |
| Crape Myrtle, Muskogee Crape Myrtle, and | | | | 20 to 25 feet high at maturity. They start |
| Natchez Crape Myrtle. These hybrids are known | | | | blooming in mid-June and give you lavender |
| for their abundant summer and fall color, | | | | blooms for 120 days. These lovely fast growing |
| handsome bark, low maintenance, long life and the | | | | trees require minimal pruning, are resistant to |
| fact that they're relatively free of crippling | | | | breakage and have a high drought tolerance. The |
| diseases and insects. Previously known as a | | | | Muskogee is also tolerant of cold climates and can |
| Southern gem, hybrids of this traditionally | | | | grow as far north as Growing Zone 6. The long |
| southern tree can now flourish in colder climates. | | | | term health of this tree is not affected by pests |
| Dynamite Crape Myrtles are the most vividly | | | | and it is highly resistant to powdery mold. |
| colored hybrids, bearing deep red blooms that | | | | Natchez Crape Myrtles were one of the first |
| start in early July and last for 100 days. These | | | | hybrid releases and are considered by many to |
| hardy trees are suitable for most climate zones | | | | be the golden standard for Crapes. These hardy |
| and are very resistant to powdery mildew and | | | | trees can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet and are |
| drought. The Dynamite Crape Myrtle was | | | | considered to have outstanding ornamental |
| developed to be one of the most spectacular red | | | | features. Their white blooms start appearing in |
| blooms ever created. Fast Growing Trees | | | | mid-June and continue for 110 days and in the |
| Nursery Manager Travis Zboch said that this is | | | | winter months the bark exfoliates, revealing a |
| such a popular tree because of the fact that it | | | | dark cinnamon brown trunk. The Natchez Crape |
| blooms red in the summer months, while most | | | | Myrtle is highly resistant to powdery mold and |
| other trees don't turn red until the late summer | | | | aphids and is tolerant of extreme heat and cold. |
| or early fall. "The summertime is when your lawn | | | | This fast growing tree is ideal for growing zones 7 |
| is at the peak of being vividly green and healthy, | | | | through 10. |
| and nothing compliments that better than red," he | | | | is a mail order nursery with headquarters in |
| said. | | | | Charlotte, N.C. For pictures and more information |
| Red Rocket Crape Myrtles start to bloom in the | | | | about the Crape Myrtle hybrids and the dozens of |
| middle of July and continue through September. In | | | | other varieties of fast growing trees, visit the |
| total, they bloom for 120 days. The Red Rocket | | | | Fast Growing Trees Nursery online or call |
| is distinctive from the Dynamite in that the | | | | 1-888-222-5150. |
| blooms of the Red Rocket are more fiery red, | | | | |