Dynamite Crape Myrtle

Dynamite® was widely acclaimed for its red flowers and became hugely popular, inspiring searches for more red-flowering crape myrtles. Dr. Whitcomb continued his breeding and went on to introduce Red Rocket®, Tightwad Red® and Siren Red®, each with a different quality.

The U.S. National Arboretum also got into the act by releasing red-flowered ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Cheyenne.’ A few other selections have long been recognized for their good red flower color, but they never achieved the acclaim and notoriety as these later, improved selections.

Thanks to the introduction and popularity of Dynamite®, red crape myrtles — new and old — are now very popular. Here are the most popular red cultivars.

U.S. National Arboretum Red Cultivars

• Panicle Size:
  Most of these cultivars produce showy panicles ranging from 6 to 10 inches long. ‘Red Rocket®’ and ‘Dynamite®’ are especially known for large, dense panicles that offer dramatic flower displays.

• Disease Resistance:
  All listed cultivars have been bred for improved resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue in crape myrtles, particularly in humid southern climates.

• Recognition & Suitability:

  • Dynamite®, Red Rocket®, Tightwad Red®, and Siren Red® have been tested in southern states and are recommended in many extension publications for their color, growth habits, and resilience.

  • ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Cheyenne’ are official releases from the U.S. National Arboretum’s breeding program, which prioritizes disease resistance, attractive bark, long bloom periods, and cold hardiness.

• Texas A&M Endorsement:
  ‘Arapaho’ has been recognized by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for its adaptability to Texas landscapes. Others like Dynamite® and Red Rocket® are commonly recommended by local nurseries and horticultural experts due to strong landscape performance.

Crape Myrtle ‘Centennial Spirit’

Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica ‘Centennial Spirit’

In 1985 Oklahoma State University developed the Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle, which is a prolific producer of wine red flowers. Each cluster within the Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle has hundreds of red flowers and each cluster can range from 8” to 16” long. The Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle has an upright growing habit with small alternate leaves that are rounded at the base and are 2” to 3” long.

The Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle has leaves that are glossy green in the summer and in the fall they turn orange and red. Each summer the it exfoliates its gray colored bark in thin strips to expose a smooth and cream colored bark. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, very drought tolerant and has a good resistance to powdery mildew.

Centennial Spirit Crape Myrtle

USDA-Developed Crape Myrtles

Who develops them:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically through institutions like the U.S. National Arboretum.

Purpose of development:

• Focuses on public benefit, not profit.

• Goals include increasing disease resistance, improving cold hardiness, enhancing ornamental value, and expanding diversity in American landscapes.

• USDA varieties are bred through extensive scientific trials, often taking years or decades to release.

Key features:

• Rigorous testing for multiple U.S. climate zones.

• Typically high resistance to powdery mildew and leaf spot.

• Consistent and proven performance in public and private landscapes.

• Released into the public domain, meaning they are non-patented and widely propagated by nurseries.

Examples:

• ‘Natchez’ (white, large tree)

• ‘Muskogee’ (light lavender, fast growing)

• ‘Arapaho’ (deep red, mildew resistant)

• ‘Zuni’ (purple, multi-trunked small tree)

• ‘Apalachee’ (lavender, elegant form)

Commercially Developed Crape Myrtles

Who develops them:
Private horticultural breeders, plant scientists, and commercial companies (e.g., Dr. Carl Whitcomb, First Editions®, Proven Winners®, or independent nurseries).

Purpose of development:

• Created primarily for commercial sale and market appeal.

• Often bred for novel colors, compact size, or unique shapes that appeal to consumers and landscapers.

• Typically patented, which means growers must pay royalties to propagate or sell them.

Key features:

• May be released faster to market than USDA varieties.

• Frequently introduced with trademarked names and heavy branding (e.g., Dynamite®, Tightwad Red®, Delta Jazz®).

• Sometimes have less documented long-term performance in varied climates.

• May have slightly less disease resistance depending on the breeder’s priorities.

Examples:

• Dynamite®, Red Rocket®, and Tightwad Red® (Dr. Carl Whitcomb)

• Enduring Summer® series (Southern Living Plants)

• Velour series (First Editions®)

Key Differences

Dr. Carl Whitcomb

Dr. Carl Whitcomb is a prominent American horticulturist, plant scientist, and inventor best known for his groundbreaking work in tree and shrub development, including the creation of several patented crape myrtle cultivars such as Dynamite®, Red Rocket®, Tightwad Red®, and Rhapsody in Pink®.

Background and Contributions

• Education & Early Career
  Dr. Whitcomb earned a Ph.D. in horticulture and began his career in academia, serving as a professor at Oklahoma State University. He became known for his research in root development and plant physiology.

• Founder of Lacebark Inc.
  In the early 1980s, he left academia to establish Lacebark Inc., a private research facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. There, he focused on breeding ornamental plants that were tough, low-maintenance, and suitable for a variety of climates.

• Notable Innovations

  • Developed the RootMaker® system, a series of patented containers and pruning techniques that dramatically improve root structure and transplant success in trees and shrubs.

  • Bred crape myrtles with exceptional flower color, disease resistance, and growth habits, particularly suited for hot, humid Southern climates.

• Popular Crape Myrtle Cultivars

   

  Cultivar	Color	Height	Key Features
  Dynamite®	Cherry Red	~20 feet	First true red crape myrtle, mildew resistant
  Red Rocket®	Fire Engine Red	~20–30 feet	Vigorous grower, rapid height gain
  Tightwad Red®	Bright Red	~3–4 feet	Dwarf, compact shrub form
  Rhapsody in Pink®	Soft Pink	~15 feet	Purple foliage with vibrant pink blooms

• Awards & Recognition
  While he often operated outside traditional university or government breeding programs (like USDA), his cultivars have become landscape staples throughout the South and are frequently featured by growers, garden centers, and major plant brands.

Legacy

Dr. Whitcomb is considered a maverick in the field of horticulture—deeply committed to science-driven plant improvement, but operating independently of academic or government structures. His crape myrtles and container innovations have had a lasting impact on American landscaping, especially in regions with hot summers and compact soils.