Why Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle - Best Red™ Trees?

Give your garden or landscape the brilliance it deserves with the bold beauty only the Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle can deliver.

Rich, crimson red blooms surrounded by dark, almost pewter-colored, leaves offer stately appeal to any planting location you choose.

And it's amazingly strong. Aside from its magnificent looks, the Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle is a hardy plant that needs little in the way of maintenance. Drought tolerant, mildew resistant and highly productive during the flowering season, this stunning variety is as tough and opulent as its name suggests.

Who is Fast Growing Trees?

We are the largest mail-order nursery in the country, shipping bigger and better trees directly to your door.

And you won’t find a healthier, better developed Black Diamond®...if you can even find one at all. Local garden centers and big-box retailers rarely stock these unique varieties, and the trees they offer are typically bare-root.

But when you order from Fast Growing Trees, you get a Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle Tree grown and nurtured with meticulous care, ready to thrive in your landscape and burst with color quickly.

In fact, when you buy our larger sizes, you can get the amazingly vibrant color of Best Red™ even sooner.

Fill your garden with the ruby red blooms that only this precious gem can deliver. Order your Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle today - before they're gone!

When Does the Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle Bloom?

Considered by many enthusiasts to be the most awesome contrasting combination of flowers and leaves on the market, the Black Diamond® Red Crape delivers a show of soothing color from late spring all the way through the fall.

What is the Maximum Height of the Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle?

Reaching a maximum height of 12 feet, Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtles can be planted in almost any location. From bold entryway appeal to borders along your driveway, there's nowhere that the versatile Best Red™ Crape Myrtle can't grow.

How Cold Hardy is the Black Diamond® Crape Myrtle?

Hardy down to temperatures as frigid as 0 degrees outdoors, the Best Red™ Crape Myrtle breaks the mold. Plus, it can be enjoyed in the colder climates of zones 2 to 5 as well. Just place your Black Diamond® Reds in planters and bring them indoors during harsh winter months!

How Do You Plant the Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle?

Crapes are full sun lovers, so plant in an area with well-drained soil and 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.

After you have found your planting area, dig your hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Comb your hands over the root ball to free up the roots a bit before planting. Place your tree in the hole and make sure that the root crown (where the root ball meets the trunk of the tree) is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole and water to settle the tree's roots. Finally, mulch the area around the tree to conserve moisture.

When Do You Water the Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle?

Though they are drought tolerant once established, you may have to water young trees more often, especially in the summer heat. If you're not sure when to water, however, simply check the surrounding 3 inches of soil for dryness and water when this area is dry.

Fertilizing the Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle

Your Crape will greatly benefit from a light application of a complete, balanced, slow-release fertilizer formula in the early spring and summer seasons.

How to Prune Your Black Diamond® Red Crape Myrtle

For a more graceful shape, remove all but 4 to 5 strong trunks and then remove the lateral branches around the lower half of the tree. Remove any damaged or crossing branches during the late winter, as well as any suckers, or low-growing branches.