Black Diamond ‘Purely Purple’ Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia x ‘Purely Purple’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-12′

Width at Maturity: 7-8′

Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12’+ for space between

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Rounded

Growth Rate: Moderate, Fast

Flower Color: Amethyst Purple

Flowering Period: Summer into Fall!

Flower Type: Single flowers in rounded clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Almost Black Deep Purple

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

If you love the color purple like we do, meet ‘Purely Purple’, the newest member of the Black Diamond Crape Myrtle family. Flawless and fade-resistant black foliage emerges in early spring followed by abundant clusters of jewel-toned amethyst purple flowers that start coming in late spring to early summer continuing well into fall. A semi-dwarf that might reach 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, Purely Purple is a perfect fit for smaller garden spaces or grouped or as a hedge in larger landscape borders.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet or so wide, the Purely Purple Crape Myrtle is an ideal selection for all size landscape spaces and in containers. It can be grown as a shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small tree, making it an excellent choice for use as a specimen or accent in sunny home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also makes a very colorful hedge and is spectacular in groupings. Whether planted as a specimen or in groupings, this is one plant that is sure to stand out in the landscape! A fine addition to purple or black theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for a solid hedge; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Purely Purple 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.

Helpful Articles

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