Landscape Performance of Ebony Crepe Myrtle Cultivars in Low-input Landscapes in North-central Texas

The Ebony series of crepe myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ) cultivars includes several (Ebony Embers, Fire, Flame, Glow, and Ivory), marketed today under the Black Diamond ® brand. These are relatively new unique for their dark foliage, but with little information concerning performance in north-central Texas, especially low-input landscapes. study was conducted from 2014 to 2017 at three locations Texas soil types, an acidic fine sandy loam, a neutral pH silt alkaline heavy clay. Although soils environmental conditions caused variations between sites, overall among consistent across all Centennial Spirit having better landscape than any tested. ‘Ebony Ivory’ Blush’ had lowest performance. grew more slowly, fewer blooms, were susceptible powdery mildew Spirit. While trees may perform intensively managed landscapes, did not as well landscapes Texas.