Description:
The Crape Myrtle ‘Centennial Spirit’ is a stunning deciduous shrub or small ornamental tree celebrated for its vivid, fire-red summer blooms. Its flowers form dense, showy clusters at the ends of branches, creating a long-lasting display of rich, eye-catching color throughout the warm season. The foliage emerges in a lush green shade, holding its color well into fall before transitioning into tones of orange, red, or yellow. Like many premium crape myrtles, ‘Centennial Spirit’ is prized for its attractive exfoliating bark, which sheds in patches to reveal smooth, cinnamon-colored bark beneath—adding beautiful texture and year-round interest.

Size:
Crape Myrtle ‘Centennial Spirit’ typically grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a 10 to 15-foot spread at maturity, though final size may vary depending on climate, soil conditions, and pruning practices. It naturally develops an upright, vase-shaped growth habit with multiple stems. It can be pruned to maintain a more compact structure or encouraged to grow taller when used as a standout ornamental tree.
Available Sizes: 30 Gallon, 45 Gallon, 65 Gallon.

Best Growing Zones:
‘Centennial Spirit’ thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7–9, performing best in regions with long, hot summers and mild winters. For optimal flowering and healthy development, plant in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight daily. Once established, this variety shows good drought tolerance and handles dry conditions well.

Soil Requirements:
This crape myrtle prefers well-drained, fertile soil and adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay-based soils as long as drainage is adequate. Incorporating organic matter such as compost or peat moss at planting helps enhance soil texture, moisture retention, and overall plant vigor.

Maintenance:
Crape Myrtle ‘Centennial Spirit’ is low-maintenance but benefits from seasonal care. Prune lightly during the growing season to shape the plant or remove unwanted growth. More substantial pruning—such as removing dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches—should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture, reduce weed competition, and protect the shallow root system.