The Black Diamond® Pure White™ Crape Myrtle is characterized by its brilliant white flowers, which contrast beautifully with its dark, almost black foliage. The flowers bloom in large clusters during the summer months, providing a stunning display of color. The foliage of this variety is glossy and dark, creating a dramatic backdrop for the pristine white blooms. It has a moderate growth rate and a compact, upright habit. With proper pruning, it can be maintained as a smaller specimen or allowed to grow into a larger shrub or small tree. Because of its compact, upright Habit, the Pure White is perfect for framing doorways or gates, planting in a row for a dramatic, dark-leaved privacy screen, or using it is a "thriller" in very large patio containers.
|
Scientific Name
|
Lagerstroemia indica 'Pure White' |
|
Foliage: Deciduous
|
Leaves: The leaves are elliptical, smooth, and a dark, midnight-purple/black. Unlike traditional Crape Myrtles that turn green, these stay dark all summer.
Flowers: Large, ruffled clusters of pure, brilliant white. The contrast against the black leaves is incredibly sharp, making the white appear even brighter.
Bark: Smooth and light tan to pale brown. As the tree matures, the bark will peel in thin strips, though the exfoliating effect is often more subtle than the larger tree-form varieties like 'Acoma' or 'Arapaho.'
Seeds: Small, round green-to-brown capsules. These form after the blooms fade and can be pruned off to encourage a second flush of white flowers in late summer.
|
|
Mature Height
|
10–12 feet |
|
Mature Width (Spread)
|
6-8 feet |
|
Growth Rate
|
Moderate (1-2 feet per year) |
|
USDA Zone
|
6–10 (In Zone 6, it may die back to the ground in harsh winters but usually regrows from the roots) |
Plant Care & Characteristics
Light Requirements: Full Sun (6+ hours). Maximum sun is required to keep the foliage dark black.
Water Requirements: Regular watering is important, especially during the first year after planting, to help establish a strong root system.
Drought Resistance: High. Very resilient once the root system is established.
Soil Type: Adaptable and Well-drained. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soil, as long as it is well-drained. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Deer Resistance: High. Like most in the Black Diamond series, it is rarely bothered by deer.
Maintenance: Crape Myrtles are relatively low-maintenance plants, and the Black Diamond Pure White variety is no exception. Pruning is typically done in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches and promote new growth. Regular deadheading of spent flowers can also encourage continued blooming throughout the summer.
