Question
QUESTION: Hi- I live in zone 9, Fresno CA very very hot in July and August 80 degrees by 10:30. I just planted a red crape myrtle bush and two butterfly bushes on the west facing side of my house. They are full and very hot sun from 10-2 (the crape a little longer) My experience living here is that things that say "full sun" often die b/c our heat is so intense in the summer. Do you think they will do okay with 4-5 hours of sun a day?

ANSWER: Hi Alysha,
Thanx for your question.  I'm very familiar with Fresno and the Central Valley.  I know how hot it gets there but I think your crape myrtle and butterfly bushes will be fine.  I would give them a good side dressing of well-composted manure and a good mulch of straw or cypress bark.  Deeply water, once a week if there has not been a regular rain.  The mulch and weekly watering will ensure the plants develop a good root system.  Both plants however, enjoy hot temperatures.  I know it doesn't get as hot in the Deep South as it does in the Central Valley but it gets pretty hot and humid and the crape myrtles and butterfly bushes thrive in the heat as long as they are not allowed to dry out completely.  I live in Kansas where it is often in the 90s and 100s in July and August and the problem we have with crape myrtles and butterfly bushes is protecting their roots from our cold winters.  Something, about which, you need not worry.  I think your shrubs will do fine.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: Tom-
Thanks so much! My concern was that they weren't getting enough sun. All the websites say these plants need 6 hours a day of full sun. But given the intensity of the sun here, I was hoping that four hours a day would be enough to keep the happy and blooming. I know the plant will "tell me" next season, but I am wondering if I should move them now before the roots get too set. What do you think?

Answer
Hi Alysha,
Thanx for the additional information.  I really don't think the heat or sun in your area is going to be a detriment to these plants.  They are full-sun loving plants and thrive in heat.  Go ahead and move them in mid-September.  I hope this helps.
Tom