{"product_id":"dracaena-marginata-black-knight","title":"Dracaena marginata 'Black Knight'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Knight Dragon Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eDracaena marginata\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Black Knight'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAsparagaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMadagascar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen small tree \/ architectural feature plant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold, dramatic and effortlessly stylish, Dracaena marginata 'Black Knight' is one of the most architecturally striking plants you can add to an Adelaide garden or outdoor space. Its slender, upright stems are crowned with tufts of long, strap-like leaves in deep dark green with rich red-purple margins — a combination that deepens and intensifies with sun exposure, creating a genuinely dark, moody effect unlike anything else in the landscape.\u003cbr\u003eSlow-growing and low-maintenance, 'Black Knight' thrives in Adelaide's warm seasons and makes an outstanding feature in sheltered courtyards, alfresco areas and large containers. It copes with Adelaide's mild winters but appreciates protection from frost and cold winds. Indoors or out, this is a plant that commands attention without demanding much in return.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2.0–3.0 m H × 0.5–1.0 m W outdoors (1.0–1.5 m in containers); spreading vase form with age as stems branch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlow — 10–20 cm per year; easy to maintain at desired height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLong, narrow strap-like leaves; dark green when young, deepening to dark purple-red with age and sun exposure; foliage colour intensifies in brighter light; evergreen year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRarely flowers outdoors in Adelaide; when it does, small creamy-white fragrant flowers appear in summer; followed by yellow-orange berries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlowers lightly fragrant when produced; foliage not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDramatic dark foliage year-round → stems branch and spread with age creating sculptural multi-stemmed form → occasional summer flowers in warm established specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlowers attract bees and pollinators when produced; dense foliage provides shelter for small garden fauna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDrought-tolerant once established; heat-tolerant; coastal-tolerant; frost-sensitive — protect from frost and temperatures below 5°C; shelter from strong or cold winds; tolerates part shade; dislikes waterlogged soils and fluoride-rich water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePlant as a single specimen or in groups of 3 at 60–80 cm spacing for a dramatic foliage cluster; ideal in large containers (40 cm+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eToxic to cats and dogs if ingested — keep away from pets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun to part shade; full sun deepens the dark purple-red foliage colour; tolerates bright indirect light indoors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFree-draining sandy or loamy soils; excellent drainage is essential — will not tolerate wet feet; use a quality potting mix with added perlite or coarse sand for container growing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: water regularly for first 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; allow soil to dry out between waterings; reduce significantly in cooler months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMinimal pruning needed — remove yellowing or damaged leaves; prune stems in spring to encourage branching and a fuller habit; feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer; avoid high-fluoride water and superphosphate fertilisers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVery long-lived; decades with correct care and drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBest in warm, sheltered positions — coastal Adelaide, northern suburbs and protected courtyards; grow in containers in cooler foothills areas for easy frost protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0); avoid alkaline conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArchitectural feature plant for modern, tropical or minimalist garden designs where bold form and dark foliage create dramatic contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGroup three stems together in a large statement pot for alfresco areas, pool surrounds and courtyard entrances\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with silver-foliaged plants such as Westringia, Artemisia or Leucophyta to maximise the dark foliage contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse as a vertical accent to break up horizontal planting schemes in garden beds and mixed borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutstanding indoor specimen for well-lit living spaces, offices and atriums — brings the drama of the garden inside\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Black Knight' is the rare plant that looks incredible doing absolutely nothing. The deep, almost-black foliage is genuinely unlike anything else in the garden, and the slow, sculptural growth means it just keeps getting better with age. Low-fuss, high-impact and effortlessly bold — it's the plant for gardeners who want drama without the drama.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"170mm Pot","offer_id":48870744424700,"sku":"DRAC-MARG-BLAC-KNIG-170MM","price":23.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/dracaena-marginata-black-knight-dragon-tree-170mm-pot-architectural-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1773974872","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/dracaena-marginata-black-knight","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}