This is the plant in the garden that every single person looks at from mid August until it freezes. It is big, at least 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide, with striking dark violet blooms and calyces that are bright green and streaked with violet black on top. Activity around this plant is off the charts, with hummingbirds and bees humming around all day. It is a bit more drought tolerant than its parent, S Mexicana, but still benefits from deep watering twice a week. I would definitely spend my extra water on this plant, since it is such a big hit with garden critters. If you are in a cooler area full sun is fine for this plant, but in our garden in Vacaville we give it a bit of dappled shade in the afternoon. Also, if you live in a high wind area I would only plant it in a protected part of the garden.