The Scarlet Crape Myrtle was developed by Mitch Magee by cross-pollinating a Miss Sandra Crape Myrtle with an Ebony Flame Crape Myrtle. This new variety created a truly novel Crape Myrtle because up until this point there were limited options in terms of Crapes with deep red flowers. Most customers would go with Dynamite or Red Rocket Crape Myrtles if they wanted a deep red flower but they only reached a mature height of about 14’, they are very slow growing at about 1’ per year and they have a wider and bushier appearance. The Scarlet, however, grows about 2’ per year and they have more upright and rounded canopies like the Natchez Crape Myrtle which will get about 20’ tall at maturity. Scarlet Crape Myrtles also produce a deeper red flower without any of white flecks of flowers which are often produced by Dynamite and Red Rockets. On our farm, Scarlets have also shown a higher resistance to powdery mildew and more cold heartiness than Dynamite and Red Rocket.