{"product_id":"lagerstroemia-diamonds-in-the-dark-blush-crepe-myrtle","title":"Diamonds in the Dark Blush Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica ‘Blush’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiamonds in the Dark Blush Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica ‘Blush’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this crepe myrtle from the old garden forms is the foliage, which emerges and stays a deep burgundy black rather than green, so the soft pink flowers of ‘Blush’ sit against a dark background instead of a mid green one. Bred as part of the Diamonds in the Dark range, this \u003cem\u003eLagerstroemia indica\u003c\/em\u003e selection is also compact and mildew resistant, addressing the two failings that made older crepe myrtles awkward in small gardens. It flowers for most of the Australian summer, drops its leaves after a burst of autumn colour, and reveals smooth mottled bark through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Diamonds in the Dark Blush\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear Black Foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e: Leaves hold deep burgundy to near black colour from spring through to autumn rather than fading to green in the heat.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong Flowering Season\u003c\/strong\u003e: Crinkled soft pink panicles open from around December and continue through to March in most Australian districts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMildew Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Selected for resistance to the powdery mildew that disfigured earlier crepe myrtles in humid summers.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e: A mature height around three metres suits courtyards, narrow beds and small front gardens without annual reduction pruning.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Bark\u003c\/strong\u003e: Once bare, the smooth cinnamon and grey mottled trunks become the feature.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Garden Feature\u003c\/strong\u003e: A single plant gives four distinct seasonal states in a space too small for a conventional flowering tree.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRepeated Row Planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Spaced evenly along a driveway or fence line it forms a rhythmic dark foliage band with summer colour.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContrast Anchor\u003c\/strong\u003e: The near black leaves are used deliberately against silver, lime green or white planting schemes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge Container Specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e: Its restrained size makes it viable in a substantial pot on a terrace in full sun.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winter while dormant is ideal, though containerised plants establish well in spring and autumn.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained soil of average fertility. It is drought tolerant once established but will not accept wet feet, and full sun is essential for both flower quantity and foliage colour intensity.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply once or twice a week through the first summer, tapering off from the second year as the root system extends. Mulch to 75mm clear of the stems, feed lightly in early spring, and prune only to remove spent flower heads and crossing wood in late winter rather than pollarding, which ruins the natural branch structure.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e The species originates in China and Korea\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft blush pink\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795362054430,"sku":"ND-1042-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/tRZwgENl6hfpqmK5Qh_j_1vagtKjK.jpg?v=1787314248","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/lagerstroemia-diamonds-in-the-dark-blush-crepe-myrtle","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}