The ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle is a visually captivating ornamental plant, known for its dark foliage and vivid purple blooms. Its striking appearance adds dramatic flair to any garden. This plant is popular for its ease of care and ability to thrive, appealing to gardeners seeking both beauty and manageability.
Distinctive Features
The ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle is distinguished by its deep purple to nearly black foliage, which provides a dramatic backdrop throughout the growing season. This dark leaf color contrasts with its vibrant, amethyst-purple flowers that emerge in clusters. Blooms typically appear from early summer and continue profusely until the first fall frost, ensuring a long season of color.
This variety has a semi-dwarf, compact growth habit, maturing to a height of 10 to 12 feet with a spread of 6 to 8 feet. Its size makes it suitable for various landscape applications, setting it apart from larger traditional crape myrtle varieties. The combination of its unique foliage, prolonged flowering, and manageable size makes this plant distinctive.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Sunlight Requirements
For optimal growth and intense foliage color, the ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle requires ample sunlight. It thrives in full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. Insufficient light can cause the dark foliage to appear more green, diminishing its visual appeal.
Soil Preferences
This crape myrtle adapts to a range of well-draining soil types. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.0 and 7.0. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, as good drainage is essential for the plant’s health.
Watering Needs
Newly planted ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtles require consistent moisture to establish a strong root system. Water them deeply about twice a week for the first three months after planting. Once established, these plants are drought-tolerant, but consistent watering during prolonged dry periods supports vigor and bloom production. Check the top few inches of soil for dryness before watering to prevent overwatering.
Fertilization Tips
To encourage robust growth and abundant flowering, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer. Over-fertilization, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, can promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of flower production. A light annual application is sufficient to support the plant’s needs.
Climate Suitability
The ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. In Zone 6, it can be grown as a root-hardy perennial, regrowing from the roots in spring if it dies back in winter. For colder zones, grow it in containers and bring indoors during winter to protect from extreme cold.
Pruning and Ongoing Care
Pruning the ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle should occur in late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant. This timing allows for shaping the plant, controlling its size, and removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Light shaping also encourages good air circulation within the canopy.
Avoid aggressive pruning, sometimes called “Crape Murder,” as this harms the plant’s natural form and health. For ongoing care, apply a 2 to 4-inch layer of organic mulch around the base. This helps conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Ensure the mulch does not touch the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential pest issues.
Common Challenges and Management
While ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtles are robust, they can encounter some common issues. They resist powdery mildew, a common fungal disease in many crape myrtles. However, like other crape myrtles, they can occasionally face pests such as aphids and scale insects.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, leading to distorted leaves and a sticky residue called honeydew, which can attract sooty mold. Control involves blasting them off with a strong stream of water or applying insecticidal soap or neem oil for severe infestations. Ensuring proper air circulation and plant health through appropriate watering and fertilization helps deter pests and diseases.
Landscaping Versatility
The ‘Purely Purple’ Black Diamond Crape Myrtle offers versatility in landscape design due to its striking appearance and manageable size. It serves as a vibrant specimen plant, with its dark foliage and bright purple blooms. Its compact habit also makes it suitable for mass plantings, creating a continuous display of color, or as a dense, flowering hedge.
This crape myrtle can also be grown in large containers, especially when young, allowing flexible placement on patios or decks. Its dark foliage provides a dramatic contrast that complements lighter-colored plants, enhancing garden beds and borders. The extended blooming period ensures sustained interest throughout warmer months.