Diamonds in the Dark Pure White Crepe Myrtle

Diamonds in the Dark 'Pure White' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Diamonds in the Dark Pure White') puts clean white summer flowers on foliage that comes through burgundy to near black. It reaches about 3m tall and 2m wide, and it is the most useful variety in the series because it will also work as a low screen.

Why you'll love it

• White against black. The flowers are genuinely pure white, and the dark foliage behind them is what makes the plant read from across a garden.
• It screens as well as it features. Planted 1.5m apart it makes a dense summer screen to about 3m, which few flowering plants this size manage.
• Undemanding roots. Non-invasive roots let you plant it near paving, a path or a driveway without worrying about lifted concrete.
• Tough, and safe around dogs. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, content in poor soil, and not toxic to pets.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row for a dense screen to about 3m. It is deciduous, so this is a summer screen that thins over winter.

Feature planting and small gardens. One plant carries a front bed or a courtyard. Allow about 1.5m clear of a wall for the 2m canopy.

Driveways, avenues and pots. For a spaced run rather than a solid screen, set plants 2.5m to 3m apart. A 500mm container also suits it, in full sun.

Growing Pure White crepe myrtle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, six hours minimum. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, so most of the country. It prefers a drier summer and can pick up powdery mildew in humid tropical conditions, so it is not the crepe myrtle for far north gardens.

Soil. Poor soil tolerant and not fussy about type, provided water drains away. On clay, plant on a raised mound, then mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then every fortnight in dry spells. After two seasons it manages on rainfall in most districts, and a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Late winter, while it is bare. Thin crossing branches and shorten spent flower wood. For a screen, tip prune the sides to thicken growth rather than cutting the tops hard.

What to expect when it arrives

This variety is sold in 300mm pots, as single plants rather than packs. At that size it arrives branched with real height already, which is what you want for a feature plant or a short screen.

It is deciduous, so stock sent from late autumn to early spring arrives bare. That is normal, not damage: buds break as the soil warms. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, with advanced and large stock freighted at cost and our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing Diamonds in the Dark crepe myrtles
• Compare the range in our crepe myrtle collection
• More plants that are safe for pets
• For purple flowers, see Diamonds in the Dark 'Purely Purple'

Common questions

Is it safe for dogs and cats?

Yes, it is not toxic to pets, so it suits a garden where dogs dig and chew. The fallen leaves and spent flowers are no concern either.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

One and a half metres apart in a single row. The canopies knit within two to three seasons and give a dense screen to about 3m through the warm months.

Does it lose its leaves?

Yes, it is fully deciduous and stands bare through winter, so plan on a summer screen rather than year round privacy. The autumn colour beforehand is part of the character.

Will it grow in a hot dry inland garden?

Yes. It is heat tolerant, drought tolerant, takes poor soil and suits arid and semi-arid climates. Water it through its first two summers and it then looks after itself.