Black Diamond ‘Best Red’ Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia x ‘Best Red’ BLACK DIAMOND

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b (6?) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-12′

Width at Maturity: 6-8′
Spacing: Best as specimen or use two to frame an entryway

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Bushy, Rounded Canopy

Growth Rate: Moderate, Fast

Flower Color: Bright Red
Flowering Period: Late Spring or Early Summer to Frost!

Flower Type: Single flowers in rounded clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Near Black, Maroon
Fall Foliage Color: Black, Maroon

Fragrant Foliage: No

Bark Color: Light Brown

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Moderate Drought, Heat

Description

This is the distinctive single-trunk tree form version of the Black Diamond Best Red Crape Myrtle, which the breeder insists is the best red yet of the black-leaved varieties. It features abundant clusters of vibrant red flowers from late spring or early summer all the way to frost that are a stunning contrast to the deep black leaves! The leaves maintain black color throughout the season until Fall when they drop for the winter.

When it comes to flowering trees, there’s simply no others more showy than Crape Myrtles. They bloom for up to 100 days during summer, when there are few other trees and shrubs providing that service in the landscape. Colorful fall foliage and attractive exfoliating bark in winter enhance their overall appeal. It’s no wonder they are so wildly popular among designers and gardeners!

Black Diamond Crape Myrtles are a revolutionary new series that provide unique beauty to your landscape. Flawless black foliage emerges in early spring followed by masses of brilliant jewel-toned blooms that last until the first frost. Black Diamonds are perfect for landscapes of all sizes because they have a naturally compact habit, reaching a maximum height of 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 feet or so wide.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet or so wide, this single-trunk tree form Black Diamond Best Red Crape Myrtle is an ideal accent tree for smaller garden spaces, landscape borders, home foundation plantings and containers. Two can be used to accentuate an entryway or plant a row to line a drive or border. A fine addition to red theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: Best as specimen or two to accentuate an entry though can be planted in spaced groupings or rows to line a drive or landscape border.

Growing Preferences

The Black Diamond Best Red 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 powdery mildew and is quite drought tolerant when established. Prune in late winter. How To Prune a Crape Myrtle Tree the Right Way

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Crape Myrtle trees.