The Thunderstruck White Lightning Crape Myrtle was developed by Mitch Magee by cross-pollinating a Natchez and an Ebony Ivory Black Diamond Crape Myrtle. This cross resulted in a tree with very similar features to Ebony Ivory in that it has dark burgundy-blackish plum foliage and white flowers. The White Lightning, however, is a much faster growing at about 2’ per year and it reaches a mature height of 20’. It also has a more upright canopy and rounded canopy like a Natchez. At our farm, White Lightning Crape Myrtles have also shown much more cold heartiness than the Black Diamond series.