{"product_id":"lagerstroemia-diamonds-in-the-dark-shell-pink-crepe-myrtle","title":"Diamonds in the Dark Shell Pink Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica ‘Shell Pink’","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 Shell Pink Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica ‘Shell Pink’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates the Diamonds in the Dark crepe myrtles from the old street tree forms is the foliage: near black leaves that hold their colour right through the season instead of greening off by January. Against that, the soft shell pink flower panicles of this \u003cem\u003eLagerstroemia indica\u003c\/em\u003e selection read far stronger than the same colour would on green foliage. It also stays genuinely small, which is the practical reason it gets specified for narrow beds, verges and courtyards where a full sized crepe myrtle would need constant cutting back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Shell Pink Crepe Myrtle\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Colour\u003c\/strong\u003e: Deep burgundy black foliage from spring right through to autumn leaf fall, not just on the new growth.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering Length\u003c\/strong\u003e: Crinkled shell pink panicles from around December into March, through the hottest part of the Australian summer.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact Frame\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mature height suits a suburban front garden, a verge under wires or a bed only a couple of metres deep.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrunk Character\u003c\/strong\u003e: Smooth mottled cinnamon and grey bark on multiple stems, at its best once the leaves drop.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow Maintenance Pruning\u003c\/strong\u003e: Only a light tidy in late winter is needed, and the hard heading that ruins older crepe myrtles is unnecessary.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVerge and Street Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small enough for a nature strip and tolerant of reflected heat off asphalt.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNarrow Side Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fits a bed too tight for a conventional tree while still giving height and colour.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRepeated Driveway Planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: A run of matched plants gives a strong dark and pink rhythm along a drive.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge Container Feature\u003c\/strong\u003e: Holds its size well in a substantial planter on a terrace or roof deck.\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 for a continuous informal row.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late autumn through winter while dormant, or early spring.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining, slightly acidic to neutral. Clay is acceptable if the site does not hold water after rain.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply once a week through the first two summers, since flower size drops sharply on a dry young plant. Mulch to 75mm clear of the stems, and prune only lightly in late winter to remove crossing wood and spent seed heads.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m\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. Flowering is poor in shade and the foliage colour fades.\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 Shell pink\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"150L","offer_id":59795305857310,"sku":"ND-1048-150L","price":2550.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/5VpjFYA1-PzbbOgFBbn1A_YB1YdJ0V.jpg?v=1787313180","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/lagerstroemia-diamonds-in-the-dark-shell-pink-crepe-myrtle","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}