Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle—Purely Purple™ for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on November 10, 2022

Planting instructions

Site your Purely Purple™ Crape Myrtle in soil that drains well and receives at least six hours of sunlight a day. Unpot the shrub and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the plant and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole, spreading out the roots. Holding it upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.

Watering and nutrients

When newly planted, water your crape myrtle every few days until you see robust new growth. Then, taper back your watering to once a week, giving your shrub about an inch of water every time. A mature shrub will only need supplemental watering during periods of drought or very hot weather. To tell if your shrub needs water, dig down two inches near the roots; if the soil is dry there, give your crape myrtle a drink. Fertilize in spring and summer with a slow-release, balanced product designed for landscape trees and shrubs, following package directions.

Pollination

Pollinating insects such as bees are attracted to the vibrant purple flowers of this crape myrtle. Pollinated flowers lead to small seed pods that contain brown seeds, which are a popular food source for songbirds and other animals.

Pruning

Prune out any dead, diseased or broken branches whenever you see them. When the shrub is young, shape it by removing all but about four or five primary trunks and, if you wish, the branches on the lower half of the tree. If you live in the northern part of your crape myrtle’s range, you can prune the entire shrub back to the ground in late fall, since it will come back in spring. Flowers appear on new wood; so, you will not sacrifice blooms if you do this.

Pests and diseases

The Purely Purple™ Crape Myrtle is a relatively trouble-free plant, with few pests or diseases. Insects that may appear on your bush include aphids and Japanese beetles. Traps for the latter are available at well-stocked garden centers. Consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings if you have continued problems with aphids. Diseases that may affect crape myrtles include powdery mildew and Cercospora leaf spot. Allow for sufficient room around your shrub for good air circulation and avoid wetting the leaves when watering to minimize the chances of these fungal diseases.

Achieving maximum results

One way to achieve maximum results with your Purely Purple™ Crape Myrtle is to grow it in a container. This allows you to use it as a patio planting or place it on either side of a front entryway. It also means that gardeners who live in colder regions can grow this lovely plant and bring it inside when winter arrives. Choose a container that is about twice as large as the root ball with good drainage in the bottom. Using a good-quality potting mix, plant it as per our directions above. Note that you may need to water it more often than you would if it were planted in the ground. If your temperatures are predicted to go below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, bring the plant to a protected spot—such as a garage or basement.

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