Red Rocket Vs Dynamite Crape Myrtle

Choosing the right crape myrtle can make your summer garden spectacular. If you’re comparing the red rocket vs dynamite crape myrtle, you’re looking at two of the most vibrant summer-blooming landscape shrubs available.

Both are famous for their brilliant red flowers and strong growth. But they have key differences that will influence which one is the perfect fit for your yard. This guide will help you understand those differences so you can plant with confidence.

At first glance, these two shrubs look very similar. They both offer stunning red blooms, exfoliating bark, and fantastic fall color. However, their growth habits, bloom times, and even the exact hue of their flowers set them apart. Knowing these details is the key to a successful choice.

Key Characteristics at a Glance

Let’s break down the main features of each variety in a simple list.

Red Rocket Crape Myrtle: Known for its vibrant cherry-red blooms. It tends to have a more upright, tree-like form. The flowers often appear slightly earlier in the summer.
Dynamite Crape Myrtle: Famous for its true, fire-engine red flowers. It typically has a broader, more spreading habit. Its color is remarkably fade-resistant in the hot sun.

Detailed Comparison: Growth and Form

Understanding how each plant grows will tell you where to place it.

Mature Size and Shape

This is the biggest practical difference between the two.

Red Rocket: This is a large variety. It can reach 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. It grows in a very upright, fastigiate shape, almost like a column. It’s often trained as a single-trunk or multi-trunk small tree.
Dynamite: Also a large crape myrtle, but with a different structure. It matures to about 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Its form is more vase-shaped or spreading, creating a wider canopy. This gives it a fuller, shrubby appearance.

Landscape Uses

Their forms suggest different planting strategies.

Use Red Rocket as a striking vertical accent. It’s perfect for lining a driveway, creating a tall screen, or as a focal point tree in a smaller lawn.
Use Dynamite where you want broad coverage. It works well as a large border shrub, a wide screening plant, or a canopy tree for shade over a patio.

Flower Power: Blooms and Color

The flower show is why you plant these shrubs. Here’s how they compare.

Bloom Color and Timing

While both are red, the shades and schedules vary.

Red Rocket: Produces clusters of rich cherry-red flowers. Blooming often begins in early to mid-summer, sometimes a week or two before Dynamite. The color is deep and vibrant.
Dynamite: The signature feature is its brilliant, almost neon red blooms. The color holds exceptionally well in full, baking sun without fading to pink. It generally starts blooming in mid-summer and continues relentlessly.

Bloom Duration and Reblooming

Both are champion bloomers, but there’s a subtle distinction.

Deadheading spent flower clusters on either plant will encourage a second flush of blooms. Many gardeners find that Dynamite has a slight edge in the length of its blooming period, often continuing into early fall with consistent deadheading. Red Rocket is also a prolific bloomer, but its main flush may be slightly more concentrated.

Foliage, Bark, and Seasonal Interest

These shrubs offer beauty beyond just the summer flowers.

Spring Foliage: Both emerge with fresh green leaves that mature to a dark green, providing a perfect backdrop for the red flowers.
Fall Color: This is a standout feature. Red Rocket’s leaves turn a brilliant shades of orange and red. Dynamite puts on a similiar show, with foliage often turning a deep redish-purple.
Winter Bark: As they age, both develop beautiful exfoliating bark. The outer layer peels away to reveal a smooth, mottled inner bark in shades of gray, tan, and cinnamon. This provides excellent winter interest.

Planting and Care Guide

The good news is both varieties share the same basic care requirements. They are tough, adaptable plants once established.

Site Selection and Planting Steps

Follow these steps for a healthy start.

Choose the Sunniest Spot: Crape myrtles need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily for best flowering.
Ensure Good Drainage: They hate “wet feet.” Avoid low, soggy areas in your yard.
Dig a Proper Hole: Make the hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper.
Plant and Water: Place the shrub in the hole, backfill with native soil, and water deeply to settle it.
Mulch: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.

Ongoing Maintenance

Keeping them healthy is straightforward.

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, they are very drought-tolerant.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas, which promote leaves over flowers.
Pruning: The most important task. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove suckers, crossing branches, and thin the center for air flow. Never “top” or chop off the tops of the branches—this ruins their natural shape.

Common Problems and Solutions

These are generally pest-resistant shrubs, but a couple issues can pop up.

Powdery Mildew: This white fungus on leaves is common in humid areas with poor air circulation. Choose a sunny site, prune for airflow, and consider a mildew-resistant variety (both have good resistance).
Aphids: These tiny insects can cluster on new growth, secreting a sticky “honeydew.” A strong spray of water from the hose usually knocks them off. Ladybugs are a natural predator.
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale: A newer pest appearing as white or gray felt-like patches on branches. Systemic insecticides or horticultural oil applied at the right time can manage it.

Making Your Final Decision

So, which one should you choose? Ask yourself these questions.

Do you need a vertical or horizontal shape? For tight spaces or vertical lines, pick Red Rocket. For wider coverage and a spreading canopy, choose Dynamite.
Is fade-resistant red your top priority? If the brightest, most sun-proof red is your goal, Dynamite is the classic choice.
What size fits your space? Measure your planting area. Remember, Red Rocket grows taller than it does wide, while Dynamite will spread out more.

You really can’t go wrong with either. Both will provide decades of reliable summer color with minimal fuss. Visit a local nursery in midsummer if you can, to see the bloom color and plant shape in person.

FAQ: Red Rocket and Dynamite Crape Myrtles

Which crape myrtle is more red, Red Rocket or Dynamite?

Dynamite is famous for its intense, non-fading red color. Red Rocket is a beautiful cherry-red, but Dynamite’s hue is often considered the more vibrant of the two, especially in full sun.

How fast do these crape myrtles grow?

Both are considered fast-growing shrubs. Under ideal conditions, you can expect 2 to 3 feet of new growth per year until they reach there mature size.

Can I keep them small with pruning?

You can control size to some degree with careful pruning, but it’s best to choose a variety that naturally fits your space. Drastic pruning to keep a large variety small leads to poor form and fewer flowers.

Do they attract bees and butterflies?

Yes! The abundant flowers are excellent nectar sources. You’ll see plenty of pollinators visiting the blooms all summer long, which is great for your garden’s ecosystem.

When is the best time to plant a crape myrtle?

Plant in late fall or early spring. This gives the roots time to establish before the stress of summer heat or winter cold. Container plants can be planted in summer with extra careful watering.

Adding a vibrant crape myrtle is one of the best decisions for a summer-blooming landscape. Whether you select the upright Red Rocket or the broad, fiery Dynamite, you’re gauranteed a spectacular show for many seasons to come. With the right placement and simple care, your new shrub will become a cherished part of your garden.