Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle – 3 Gallon Pot

Spacing:  5′ for solid hedge; 12′ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form:  Bushy, Upright

Flower Color:  Brilliant Red

Flower Size:  Large clusters

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Literally sizzling with color, Sunset Magic is a truly spectacular mid-size Crape Myrtle from the First Editions Magic Series. Every variety in this series was selected for its ability to produce masses of blooms in rich, true colors…and Sunset Magic doesn’t disappoint. It will blow you and any who see it away with its abundant, large clusters of crinkled, brilliant red flowers that pop against the lustrous black leaves, which hold their dark color through summer. The flowers are more abundant on this cultivar than other red crape myrtles with black leaves. If the first round of flowers are deadheaded Sunset Magic will produce another flush of flowers late summer through mid-fall!

You’ll also be happy to know that like our other dark leaf Magic Crape Myrtles, Sunset Magic is Cercospora (leaf spot) resistant and has demonstrated excellent resistance to powdery mildew, even in the hot and humid summers we have here in north-central Georgia.

Growing 5 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide depending on pruning, the Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle is an ideal selection for smaller garden spaces, and containers. It can be grown as a shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small tree, making it an excellent choice for use as a specimen or accent in sunny home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also makes a very colorful hedge and is spectacular in groupings. Whether planted as a specimen or in groupings, this is one plant that is sure to stand out in the landscape. A fine addition to red or black theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  5 feet apart for solid hedge; 12 feet apart for space between plants

Note:  For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b, where this Crape Myrtle variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle is very easy to grow. It is not picky about soil type provided the soil is well-drained. A moist but well-drained soil of average fertility is preferred. Full sun is preferred and results in heavier flower production. Light shade is tolerated but flowering will be diminished in more shade. Has shown excellent resistance to Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew and is quite drought tolerant when established.