purple magic and night fire

[motherof4]

Charlie do you know if these can handle more sun or do they prefer more shade or filtered sun?? I have them both coming this week and was  trying to decide where to place them in my garden...thanks lynette

[Charlie]

Good question. They have been under heavy shade paint so are accustomed to that. Nightfire is known for its short lasting flowers so I would put that one in some shade to help the flowers last longer (should last 1 full day in any case). I think Purple Magic can go either way - it does not fade much if at all. Purple Magic is a natural sprawler, if it wasn't for the large unique flowers I would never grow it. You can stake and prune to achieve a more upright growth habit or you can take advantage of its natural tendency by placing it somewhere that low growing horizontal branches work for you. Some people use this type in a hanging basket or on a wall where the hanging branches allow the flowers to be seen. Or put it in front of taller varieties and it will not compete with them.

Charlie