Diamonds in the Dark Shell Pink Crepe Myrtle

Diamonds in the Dark Shell Pink Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Diamonds in the Dark Shell Pink') pairs near black foliage with soft pink summer flowers, and the contrast is what sells it. It grows to about 3m tall and 2.5m wide, small enough for a courtyard or a large pot, and it flowers through the hottest part of summer when most of the garden has stopped. The leaves colour in autumn, leaving smooth pale trunks all winter.

Why you'll love it

• Dark foliage all season. The deep burgundy black leaves hold their tone from spring through autumn rather than greening off.
• It flowers in the heat. Crinkled shell pink blooms through summer, exactly when the rest of the garden is looking tired.
• Genuinely small. At around 3m by 2.5m it fits a small garden or a large container, unlike the older crepe myrtles that become 6m trees.
• Four seasons of something. Dark leaves in spring, flowers in summer, autumn colour, then smooth mottled bark and a clean branch structure in winter.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One plant against a light wall or fence is the strongest use, because pale render throws the dark foliage into relief and the pink reads clearly against it.

Small gardens, courtyards and pots. The compact size and non-invasive roots let it go close to a path or boundary. A pot 500mm or wider keeps it nearer 2m, though pots dry out quickly.

Driveways and avenues. Repeated along a drive it makes a strong rhythm in summer. Allow about 2.5m between plants.

Growing Crepe Myrtle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, without compromise. Shade costs you both flowers and foliage colour. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy once established. Young plants appreciate shelter through their first winter.

Soil. Free draining above all. It is not fussy about type and copes with average soil, but it will not accept wet feet, so mound the position on heavy clay. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then reduce as it becomes drought tolerant. Feed a controlled release fertiliser in early spring. Go easy on nitrogen, which produces leafy growth at the cost of flowers.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while the plant is bare, taking out crossing branches and shortening the previous season's growth to encourage flowering shoots. Avoid the heavy topping often done to older crepe myrtles.

What to expect when it arrives

We supply it in two sizes: 200mm plants in packs of six, and single 300mm plants. The pack of six suits a driveway run or a larger bed where you want several. The 300mm size is the usual choice for a single feature or a pot. Both sizes are currently on backorder.

This is a deciduous plant, so depending on the season it may arrive bare stemmed or only just in leaf. That is expected and not a fault. New growth typically appears within four to six weeks in warm weather, and the first proper flowering display comes in the summer after planting. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete crepe myrtle care guide
• Do crepe myrtles lose their leaves in winter
• Compare the full crepe myrtle range
• Diamonds in the Dark Pure White, for white flowers on the same dark foliage

Common questions

Does it lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is deciduous. The foliage colours and drops in autumn, leaving smooth mottled trunks and a fine branch structure many people rate as the best feature of the plant.

How big does it get?

About 3m tall and 2.5m wide, deliberately smaller than the older crepe myrtle varieties. Grown in a pot it usually settles closer to 2m.

Do I need to prune it hard every year?

No, and you should not. A light late winter prune to remove crossing wood and shorten last season's growth is enough. Hard topping destroys the natural shape and the attractive bark.