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: 6′ for solid hedge; 12′ for space between trees

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 multi-trunk 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.

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, the Black Diamond Best Red Crape Myrtle is an ideal accent tree for smaller garden spaces, home foundation plantings and containers. Two can be used to frame an entryway. In larger landscape borders it can be planted in groupings or straight, curved or staggered rows. A fine addition to red or black theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 6 feet apart for a solid hedge; 12 feet or more apart for space between trees

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.