Lagerstroemia indica Black Solitaire Shell Pink - Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica Shell Pink Black Solitaire (synonym Black Diamond), is yet another superb Indian lilac from the amazing Black Diamond® series. This variety carries clusters of flowers with a very beautiful bright pink hue for over two months, in the heart of summer. It bears stunning, shiny foliage that is almost black. Like all Black Solitaire varieties, this Lagerstroemia is more resistant to powdery mildew and tolerates cold as well as moderate periods of drought. These lilacs are also appreciated for their richly coloured, ornamental bark all year round. Its moderate development is suitable for small gardens and container cultivation.

Shell Pink is part of a series of carefully selected hybrids in Texas from the 'EBONY®' varieties, characterised by very dark foliage. Not exceeding 3 m (9.8 ft) in height, these Indian lilacs are also distinguished by their fairly rapid growth and their ease of cultivation in any well-draining soil. Hardy up to -15° C (5° F).

Shell Pink belongs to the Lythraceae family, just like Lagerstroemia indica it originates from. The latter is native to China. This shrub has a bushy and branched habit from the base, with a rather upright crown. It will reach an average height of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) at maturity, with a diameter of 2 m (6.6 ft). Its growth is fairly rapid. Flowering starts in early July and continues until September. The inflorescences are composed of fine pedicels, each bearing five petals with very undulate edges, whose texture resembles that of crepe. They are gathered in dense panicles at the ends of the year's branches.

In Shell Pink, the pedicels and flower buds are a very dark purple-brown, then the flower buds open widely in a beautiful pale pink shade that slightly fades over time. The centre of the flowers is enlivened by fine golden yellow stamens. The leathery and deciduous foliage retains its very dark burgundy-chocolate-violet colour from spring to summer, then takes on more purplish reflections in autumn before falling. It is composed of small, ovate and pointed leaves with a shiny appearance. Finally, and to end on a beautiful note, its bark is truly magnificent: smooth, beige streaked with grey, reddish-brown, and peeling off in coloured patches (cinnamon, muted red, old rose, or cream).

Indian Lilacs traditionally thrive in warmer regions, but these small trees can be acclimatised in colder areas, especially its improved varieties, which are hardier. Enjoy its beauty when planted in isolation near the house. It also looks good in a shrub bed, a flowering hedge, or emerging from a mound of perennials. Create a bed like a bouquet, with Nepeta, Salvia sclarea or S. jamensis, or Aster laevis. In autumn, it complements the beautiful autumn foliage of cotinus and deciduous euonymus. Consider planting in a large pot for a patio, where it will put on a magnificent show. We have imagined a simple tricolour plant tapestry as a ground cover to enhance this variety: a carpet of Stachys byzantina, Nepeta mussini, and silver baskets will dress the base of its trunk, highlighting the beauty of its bark, black foliage, and pastel flowering.

Note: Karl Von Linné named this tree to pay tribute to his friend Magnus Von Lagestroem (1696 - 1759), who had sent it to him from India for identification. Originally, this tree was used to decorate Chinese temples. We would like to point out that this tree produces fruits that have a narcotic effect if ingested.