Every gardener wants their summer garden to be filled with vibrant color because that is the season when the garden gets the most use for barbeques, family gatherings and parties. So trees and shrubs that bloom all summer are always popular. Crape Myrtles are well-known for their blooms that go on and on right to the first frost, but most of them are large shrubs or small trees 10 to 25 feet tall that need a lot of room and often have their blooms high in the air where they cannot be fully appreciated.

When plant breeders developed dwarf forms of Crape Myrtle they knew everyone would want to have one, and they were right. The Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle grows just 3 feet tall, but it is covered in blooms all summer. It can be planted among other small shrubs, in front of larger ones, among flowering plants or in containers on your terrace and patio. The sunniest part of your garden is just right for it and those brilliant rich-red flowers will stand right out and bring your garden to life at just the right time of year. Even the leaves are deep red in color, so from the moment they leaf-out in the spring this plant will bring color to your garden before it even begins to flower.

Growing Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtles

The Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle will grow in zones 6 to 9, so gardeners in all the warmer parts of the country can grow this fantastic shrub, which is pest and disease resistant and even deer resistant. It is especially resistant to the mildew that disfigures so many older kinds of Crape Myrtle. It will thrive in all kinds of soil, even growing in clay soils and once established it is amazingly drought resistant too. You can confidently plant this tree right out in the full sun, even in just a pocket of soil, and it will thrive and bloom continuously. The flowers are like clusters of rich red crape paper and have a rich quality that really brightens up your garden.

Size and Appearance

Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle quickly grows to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet across so it is a perfect size for a small garden, or to grow beside a walk or driveway. Even the glossy leaves are reddish-green so they are a colorful accent in spring before the blooming season begins. The flowers are a true red and not just a dark pink and the shrub is compact and rounded in form. The leaves turn even darker red in fall before dropping to show the grey and tan bark of the winter stems.

Planting Location

Choose a sunny location for you Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle bushes and do not plant them in a low-lying or damp location. Any kind of soil is suitable but adding some organic material when planting will help them grow and establish themselves quickly. For a group planting space your bushes 2 feet apart to get solid coverage and a spectacular display. Crape Myrtles should be planted no deeper than they are growing in the pot, so be careful not to cover the roots with too much soil. Dig a wide hole, but not a deep one and after you have put back most of the soil, fill the hole with water. When it has drained away replace the rest of the soil.

Watering

Water once or twice a week during the first season but after that you will only need to water during prolonged dry periods. In pots make sure your container has drainage holes and use a regular potting soil, preferably one for outdoor planting. Water thoroughly when you plant and then let the soil become a little dry before watering again. Always water well until you see water coming out the drain-holes. Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Trimming

Your Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle needs very little care. In late winter trim back the stems to encourage strong new growth. Remove dead flower heads as they form to encourage lots of new flowers to develop.

History and Origins of the Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle

Dr. Michael A. Dirr is the plant breeder responsible for developing the Razzle Dazzle^® Dwarf Crape Myrtle collection. All these plants are dwarf, summer-flowering shrubs and we have other colors, like Cherry Dazzle and Strawberry Dazzle, as part of our extensive range of Crape Myrtle for every location. They can be planted individually in small gardens or in groups to fill the beds of a larger garden.

This plant is an excellent choice for planting among earlier flowering small shrubs and flowering plants to continue the color parade into the summer season and even right into the fall too. The Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle can be grown in planter boxes or in pots right on your terrace or balcony. You don’t even need a garden to enjoy this plant.

Buying Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtles at The Tree Center

Because these new trees are so special, they must be carefully grown from stem cutting that are taken from special parent plants of this patented variety. That way you are guaranteed to get the true Berry Dazzle and know that it is exactly what you are looking for. Beware of cheaper plants just labelled ‘Dwarf Crape Myrtle’ as these will not be the true plant and are sure to be a disappointment to you.

Our Berry Dazzle Crape Myrtle plants are true to the correct form and variety. We are constantly receiving new stocks to ensure our customers only get fresh, healthy plants, but our stocks are limited so order now before our supplies run out.