Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I' RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY)
Discover Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I' RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY, a compact Crape myrtle ideal for hedges, offering cherry red summer blooms and excellent disease resistance.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY is a compact, deciduous shrub prized for its reliable summer performance and striking color, belonging to the popular Crape myrtle group. This cultivar is celebrated for its ease of care, handsome foliage, and excellent resistance to common fungal diseases that plague many relatives. Gardeners value this plant for bringing vibrant, cherry-red color to the landscape when many other flowering shrubs have finished for the season.
As part of the RAZZLE DAZZLE series, Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY maintains a naturally tidy, multi-stemmed habit, typically maturing around three feet tall and four feet wide. It thrives in heat and sun, making it a dependable choice for southern landscapes, though its performance in colder zones requires specific management practices. Expect stunning blooms from July straight through September.
The shrub offers year-round interest, shifting from bronze new growth in spring to rich burgundy-red fall color, finished by attractive exfoliating bark. Whether used as a singular specimen or incorporated into mass plantings, this specific Crape myrtle provides dense, manageable structure alongside its primary feature: profuse summer flowers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lythraceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Cherry red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal growth of your Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY, locate it where it receives full, unobstructed sunlight. The ideal planting medium consists of average, well-drained soil, though it performs adequately in loamy or clay soils provided drainage is sufficient. Prepare the site by amending heavy clay soil to ensure water does not pool around the root zone.
Water established plants deeply, especially during dry spells throughout the summer, focusing the water directly at the roots rather than wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease development. Fertilize lightly with a slow-release application; be cautious, as overly rich soil encourages excess foliage growth at the expense of those desired cherry red flowers and can decrease winter hardiness.
Pruning management for this compact Crape myrtle requires attention in cooler zones (6-7). In regions where temperatures drop below -5°F, the top growth frequently dies back. Gardeners in these areas may treat it like a butterfly bush, cutting stems back to 8 inches in early spring to encourage strong regrowth that will flower on new wood. In milder zones, prune out frost-damaged wood in spring to maintain the shrub form.
Landscape Uses
The compact stature of Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY makes it exceptionally versatile in smaller landscapes and foundation plantings where taller Crape myrtles are unsuitable. It excels as a low, flowering hedge, offering season-long reliability compared to spring-blooming shrubs. Groupings or mass plantings create a breathtaking river of color against evergreen backdrops.
It functions beautifully as a formal or informal border plant, softening lines against a retaining wall or defining the edge of a perennial bed. In areas where winter hardiness is questionable (Zones 5-6), growing it as a multi-stemmed shrub that flowers on new wood ensures reliable summer bloom even if the top growth is lost annually. This adaptability secures its place as a must-have ornamental.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lagerstroemia is a genus of about 40 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees from warm-temperate to tropical areas of Asia to Australia, widely grown for their very showy, lovely summer to fall bloom. The RAZZLE DAZZLE series, which includes ‘Gamad I’ marketed as CHERRY DAZZLE, was developed for ease of care, compact habit, and resistance to common diseases. This specific cultivar features crepe-papery inflorescences of cherry red flowers that bloom profusely through summer, which can be extended into fall with prompt deadheading.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Clay Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The primary concerns for Crape myrtles generally involve fungal leaf spot and powdery mildew, though Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY exhibits good resistance to both major issues. Chlorosis, or yellowing of foliage, can appear if planted in highly alkaline soils, requiring soil adjustment for correction. Occasionally, aphids or scale may appear, which can usually be managed with horticulture oil or insecticidal soap. For gardeners in USDA Zones 5 and 6, be prepared for potential winter injury to the above-ground wood, necessitating the recommended rejuvenation pruning strategy described in the cultivation section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Crape myrtle suitable for?
Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY is generally hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 10, though top growth may suffer dieback in the cooler end of that range.
How large does Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY grow?
This compact cultivar typically reaches a manageable height between 2 and 3 feet, spreading slightly wider at 3 to 4 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Crape myrtle need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to produce the best flowering display and maintain optimal health.
When does Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY bloom?
It delivers its signature cherry red flowers reliably from July well into September, often blooming longer if maintained properly.
Conclusion
Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY is an outstanding dwarf shrub, delivering vibrant cherry red blooms through late summer while sporting excellent disease resistance. Its compact size and tolerance for clay soil make it a reliable workhorse for borders and foundation plantings throughout warmer climates. Before planting, confirm your USDA zone aligns with its viability or commit to the rejuvenation pruning schedule required for success in areas like Zone 6.
Companion Planting
To create visually appealing pairings for your Crape myrtle, choose plants that require similar full sun exposure and thrive in medium moisture conditions. Consider late-season perennials like Coneflowers (Echinacea) or Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) whose yellow and orange tones contrast beautifully with the cherry red blooms of Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY. Low-growing Sedums also work well near the base, as they share drought tolerance once established and complement the shrub’s exfoliating bark texture.
Design Ideas for Compact Shrubs
Utilizing the tight structure of this Crape myrtle allows for formal design elements often challenging with larger shrubs. Plant four to five regularly spaced specimens along a walkway to create a low, colorful hedge effect that won’t obscure views. For modern landscapes, massing Lagerstroemia ‘Gamad I’ RAZZLE DAZZLE CHERRY in an angular bed against a neutral-colored wall emphasizes its clean outline and highlights the burgundy fall foliage. Its manageable size also makes it perfectly suited for large specimen containers on patios, requiring only consistent watering during container life.
