I don't have either of those particular cultivars, but I have Coppertina ninebark and both H. paniculata Quickfire and Pinky Winky in full sun, 10 hours or more midsummer, and they do fine. If we have 3 weeks without rain, I water. They are in good soil and mulched.

Coppertina and Quickfire
{{gwi:277271}}From 2013

This post was edited by nhbabs on Sun, Sep 7, 14 at 21:23

I have several ninebarks, all in full sun in sandy soil. I have never watered any of them, even after weeks without rain.

Ninebarks are known for getting powdery mildew when the soil is dry and there are high levels of humidity so soil moisture would be more of a concern during very humid weather. Otherwise they are fairly drought tolerant.

Both your shrubs actually prefer and perform best in full sun or 6+ hours as shown in nhbabs photo. Not so much H. paniculata but ninebark does get leggy and has very dark green foliage in part shade, call it 4 hours or less.

Whaas is right. You get the best foliage coloration on diablo or any of the dark leafed cultivars they are in a full sun postion.