Slender Black™ Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia spp. ‘CM04’ PBR Intended Trade Name Slender Black™

Crepe myrtle with dark, almost black foliage and pink flowers.
Mildew-resistant, unlike most similar alternatives.
Slender, upright (fastigiate) growth with a smaller footprint.

Description: Are you looking for darker coloured foliage in a small space? The deep purple foliage of Slender Black™ Lagerstroemia is almost black, providing superb contrast against other tones and the illusion of depth in courtyards and tiny gardens. The icing on the cake are its beautiful pink crepe myrtle flowers that attract beneficial insects.

It has denser foliage than other narrow forms, with an excellence growth response to yearly hedge pruning in winter. In testing, it has generally not had problems with mildew compared with other forms tested alongside, even in periodic flooding with humidity.

Size: 1500mm high x 900mm wide.
Planting Density: 1 plant per m², 1 plant per linear 0.7-1m.
Uses: Border hedging, courtyard feature shrub, colour contrast, creating illusion of depth at the back of planting schemes.
Species: Lagerstroemia spp
Position: Full sun to light shade. Tolerates drought, humidity and frost. Prefers reasonable drainage, but tolerates heavy soils. Avoid constant wet feet.
Care: Water as required for 8-13 weeks until established. Plant in a well mulched garden. Ensure roots are buried, while stems are in open air. For best performance, use slow release/ organic fertiliser in spring.
Prune 15 cm yearly or each 2 years in winter, or leave un-pruned for naturalistic appearance.
Where it works: Qld, NSW, Victoria, SA, and WA.