thanks
the flowers of the Husker Red are actually white. see pic from last summer. I assume its called Husker "Red" because of the foliage being burgundy when its new...? turning to a dark green as summer goes on...
we use soaker hoses for watering everything but the odd plant here and there. otherwise we'd be out there for hours, literally. might be a good idea for you as well...? just lay the mulch right over top of it.