Diamonds in the Dark Red Hot Crepe Myrtle

Diamonds in the Dark Red Hot Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Diamonds in the Dark Red Hot') pairs near black foliage with hot red summer flowers, and that contrast is the whole point. It grows to about 3m tall and 2.5m wide, small enough for a courtyard or a driveway avenue, with non-invasive roots that can sit near paving.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage that works without flowers. The near black leaves carry the plant from spring to autumn, months either side of the flowering.
• Red flowers all summer. Crinkled crepe textured trusses, genuinely red against the dark background rather than washed out pink.
• Right sized for a small garden. At 3m by 2.5m it fits a front yard or a strip beside a driveway where a jacaranda would be a mistake.
• Tough, safe and pet friendly. Frost hardy, drought, heat and wind tolerant once established, with non-invasive roots and no toxicity to cats or dogs.

Where it works best

Driveways and avenues. Plant 2m apart for a repeated avenue or an informal screen. At that spacing the canopies just touch at maturity and each tree keeps its own shape.

Feature planting in small gardens. One tree gives dark foliage, summer flower and autumn colour from a footprint of about 2.5m. Give it full sun: shade dulls the leaf colour and thins the flowering.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider holds it at roughly 2m, though potted crepe myrtles dry out quickly in summer.

Growing Diamonds in the Dark Red Hot Crepe Myrtle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, all day, for the darkest foliage and heaviest flowering. This is one of the most climate flexible trees we sell: subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens all suit it. It is frost hardy once established, so cold inland and southern districts are fine.

Soil. Any reasonable garden soil that drains. Work compost through the backfill on sand, and mound the bed on heavy clay. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off. It is properly drought tolerant after two seasons. A controlled release fertiliser in early spring is enough, since heavy nitrogen gives leaves at the expense of flowers.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while it is bare. Shorten last season's growth by about a third to encourage flowering wood, and avoid hard stubbing back, which ruins the natural shape.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: 200mm pots sold in packs of six, and single 300mm pots. The 200mm plants are young multi stemmed trees, the value option for an avenue, and they take two to three seasons to look established. The 300mm is the specimen size and gives a taller framework on day one.

This is a deciduous tree, so between late autumn and early spring it arrives as bare stems. That is normal, not a dead plant. Expect leaf growth within four to six weeks of the weather warming, and a first real display in the second summer. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The full crepe myrtle care and pruning guide
• Compare every crepe myrtle in the range
• What to expect from a deciduous tree over winter
• Other trees with roots that stay out of trouble

Common questions

How far apart should I plant them?

Two metres apart for an avenue or an informal screen. Closer than that and the canopies shade each other out, which costs you flowers on the inside of the row.

Will the dark foliage stay dark?

In full sun, yes. New growth emerges almost black and holds through the season. In part shade the leaves turn a muddier bronze green and flowering drops away.

Is it safe for dogs?

Yes. Crepe myrtles are not toxic to cats or dogs, so this is a safe choice for a yard where pets chew on things.