Seems the color in the Big Bang series change according to the temperature. The cooler it is, the redder the flowers are. The warmer the temps, the more yellow or white they'll be. I didn't think it to be the case with Murcury Rising, I just got that one myself but hasn't bloomed for me yet. But I know others in the series do this.

Karen

Thanks, Karen. I'll be interested to watch it now and see how it changes.

I haven't see any yellow in mine but I do see some white frosting around the edges on some of the blooms.

My overall color tends to look more purple in the heat.

I'm happy to report it returned after the very harsh winter I experienced.

The variety called 'Red Satin' holds its color better in heat and doesn't flop like 'Mercury Rising.'

Is the reason Red Satin doesn't flop because it's shorter or stronger?

I think it might be the stems. Also the foliage is finer so maybe that helps too.

Both 'Red Satin' and 'Mercury Rising' were hybridized by the same person (Darrell Probst). According to the Walter's Garden site:

Compared to âÂÂMercury RisingâÂÂ, this plant (Red Satin) has finer threadleaf foliage, solid red flowers that do not become âÂÂfrostedâ in the heat, and a tighter mounding habit.

My Mercury Rising doesn't flop. One of my favorites. That color change is normal for Mercury Rising, you will get both the solid blooms and the yellow edged ones on a plant. Mine always has more solid, though. The yellow ones are few for me.

Now, if you are talking flopping, Red Shift is a sprawler, for sure! It separates in the center and looks like it's growing in a waterfall form! Still, beautiful, though. I think I might cut it back next year to see if I can keep it a bit shorter.

A2zmom...do you mind if I use the above picture as my cover photo on Facebook? It's lovely! :-)

Thanks so much in advance!

Giraffe, I'd be honored!

Gosh, I never saw the picture. I'm just getting the little box with an "x" in it.

Never mind. Now I see it :)

This post was edited by msrose on Mon, Jul 21, 14 at 17:45

Thanks so much, A2zmom! :-)