Weigela is a deciduous shrub with showy flowers that typically blooms in late spring to early summer. Commonly known as “Old-Fashioned Weigela,” this diverse genus of shrubs comes in a range of colors.
The most popular weigela colors are various shades of pink, red, and white. There are also varieties that come in yellow, orange, and purple shades. Many weigela shrubs feature two-tone flowers. The blooms come in combinations such as white with a pink center, light yellow surrounded by a deeper yellow, or two shades of pink.
Some weigela shrubs feature variegated foliage with different colors in one leaf. The most common is dark green foliage with streaks of yellow. Specific varieties include, among others, ‘Sensual Legs’ Weigela with its deep-pink flowers, ‘Variegata’ with yellow and pink blooms, and ‘Couronne d’Or’ with its vibrant yellow flowers.
What is a variegated weigela?
A variegated weigela is a species of small- to medium-sized deciduous shrub that is known for its colorful foliage. It’s native to Eastern Europe, but it has become increasingly popular in gardens around the world due to its easy care and vibrant foliage.
Variegated weigela typically grows to about three to six feet in height and one to three feet in width and has an upright growth habit. The lush green foliage is usually accented by creamy white or yellow streaks and patches, making it truly eye-catching.
Variegated weigela is a great addition to any garden, as it requires minimal care. This shrub is easy to grow and has few problems with pests or diseases. It is a great choice for beginner gardeners, since it doesn’t require a great deal of attention or pruning.
It also blooms with prolific pink or red tubular flowers in the late spring, which attracts birds and butterflies to your garden. Variegated weigela is a stunning, low-maintenance choice for any garden.
Is variegated weigela a perennial?
Yes, variegated weigela (Weigela florida ‘Variegata’) is a perennial flowering shrub. It is a large, deciduous shrub that grows 5 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide and bears masses of bell-shaped white, pink, or purple flowers in late spring to summer.
The foliage consists of pointed lance-shaped, green leaves with white-cream variegation. Variegated Weigela is an easy-care plant that requires little pruning. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-8.
The plant adapts to a wide range of soils and is tolerant of dry or moist conditions. In winter, the foliage may turn bronze or yellow, but the shrub retains its mounded shape. Deadheading the flowers may encourage a second blooming later in the season.
Should you cut back weigela in the fall?
Yes, it is beneficial to cut back weigela in the fall. Pruning or trimming in the fall will help ensure better flowering and encourage a more compact, healthy shrub the following spring. In particular, it’s important to remove any dead or diseased stems and branches.
This can help preserve tree health and reduce the likelihood of the spread of disease. In addition, it’s important to selectively prune the shrub and remove any old, overgrown stems and minimize thinning out of the live foliage.
Doing this will encourage the growth of new stems and also help to fill out and thicken the foliage canopy. Once complete, you can then apply a light layer of mulch to help protect the roots throughout the winter.
Does weigela like sun or shade?
Weigela plants prefer to grow in full sun to partial shade conditions. They will tolerate full shade, but they may become leggy and produce fewer blooms. They thrive in soils that are consistently and evenly moist but with good drainage.
They prefer soil that is slightly acidic and high in organic matter. As with any other plants, adequate air circulation is important to prevent fungal problems like powdery mildew, so make sure the plants aren’t crammed together too much when you plant.
How tall will a weigela grow?
Weigela is an ornamental shrub with arching branches, green leaves, and bell-shaped blooms that vary in color from white to purplish-pink. Its mature height and width can be quite variable, depending on which variety of the shrub is planted.
Generally, most weigela varieties reach between three and six feet tall, and four to seven feet wide at maturity. Dwarf varieties may remain significantly shorter and narrower. If grown in the right conditions, some weigela bushes may reach up to 10 or 12 feet tall.
Do any weigela bloom all summer?
Yes, some varieties of weigela can bloom all summer. The varieties most likely to bloom all summer include W. florida ‘Verweig’ (BristolRuby), W. f. ‘Red Prince’, W. f. ‘Alexandra’, W. f. ‘Variegata’, and W. f.
‘Bristol Snowflake’. Others that may have extended blooming seasons include W. f. ‘Minuet’, W. f. ‘Java Red’, W. f. ‘Sonic Bloom Red’ (Midnight Wine), and W. f. ‘Nana Variegata’. The summers in Zone 5-8 tend to be warm, and these varieties will likely put on a spectacular show and bloom throughout the summer months.
Some weigelas, like W. rottlundii and W. dumemorum, bloom in the spring, then again in late summer to fall. These varieties are less likely to be on the “all summer bloomer” list, but they can still provide color during months when other plants are not blooming.
Are there any evergreen weigela?
Yes, there are several evergreen varieties of weigela which are quite popular. These varieties are known for their lush green foliage, which makes them an attractive addition to any garden. They’re also tolerant of a variety of soil and light conditions, making them a good choice for landscape work in many climates.
Some of the most popular evergreen weigela varieties include Weigela florida variegata, Weigela Sunrise, and Weigela florida Midwinter Magic. These varieties require little maintenance, though they should be pruned back annually to control size and promote blooms.
They can also be kept in the same pot for years without needing to be repotted, making them easy to care for.
How many hours of sun does weigela need?
Weigela shrubs usually require 4 to 6 hours of full sun per day in order to thrive, but they can also survive in partial shade. If your weigela is planted in a spot that receives less than 4 hours of direct exposure to sunlight each day, it may not grow as vigorously or have as much blooming potential.
If you want to increase the sun exposure for your weigela, you can prune the trees or shrubs around it, or transplant the shrub to a sunnier spot.
Does weigela need a lot of water?
No, Weigela does not require a lot of water. Once established, Weigela is fairly drought tolerant and requires minimal amounts of water. The shrub can thrive with weekly or bi-weekly deep watering in summer.
During the spring, it is recommended to increase waterings a bit, as young plants begin to grow. Depending on where you live, it may make sense to irrigate the shrubs on a regular basis during dry spells.
Overall, Weigela does not need a lot of water to stay healthy and should be watered deeply only when the soil is dry.
How big do weigela bushes get?
Weigela bushes typically reach a mature height and width of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m). They typically grow in an mounded shape, with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m). Pruning can be done to reduce the height of the bush.
They are a particularly hardy shrub, and can tolerate poorly-drained soil and various levels of light. They bloom in the spring, with a profusion of pink, magenta, or white bell-shaped flowers, depending on the variety.
Weigela bushes make an excellent addition to the garden, providing a continuous display of blooms and a bright backdrop for other flowering plants.
Is weigela fast growing?
No, Weigela is not a fast-growing shrub. It usually takes a few years for the plant to reach its full size, which is typically between 5-10 feet in height and width. The plant is slow to establish, so it is important to be patient when growing it.
Weigela typically grows in zone 4-8, with fast growing varieties topping out at 2-3 ft. per year. It is best to prune Weigela after it blooms in late spring or early summer, as this encourages more compact growth that can be sustained with just two or three prunings per year.
It also helps avoid large, open, floppy branches that can make the shrub look less attractive over time. With sufficient care, Weigela can result in a beautiful, showy display of blooms that’s sure to attract pollinators and admirers to any garden.
What can I plant next to weigela?
Planting companion plants alongside weigela can enhance its beauty and provide a richer environment for beneficial pollinators. Since weigela does best in full sun, it’s best to choose plants that also tolerate full sun, such as Lavender, Phlox, Yarrow, or Coneflower.
These plants will bring in pollinators of beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies, to help your weigela thrive. Other good compatible companion plants for weigela include Sedum, Coreopsis, Asters, Heuchera, Hosta, or Ferns.
These plants, along with the weigela, will create an environment with complementary clusters of foliage and colorful blooms to create a standout feature in your garden.
How long does it take for weigela to grow?
The answer to this question can vary widely depending on climate, soil type, and the type of weigela planted. Generally, weigela is a quick-growing shrub that can reach a height of 8-10 feet within 5-8 years.
Pruning and proper soil amendments can encourage even faster growth; if conditions are ideal, weigela is known to grow over a foot a year. However, it is important to note that in cooler climates or those with less than ideal growing conditions, the plant may take longer to mature.
Does weigela lose its leaves in winter?
Yes, weigela generally loses its leaves in winter. Most weigela varieties are deciduous, meaning that their foliage falls off as the seasons change in response to colder temperatures. During the winter season, weigela plants typically become dormant and their leaves will begin to die back before falling off.
The majority of its foliage usually drops sometime during autumn and will not reemerge until the end of winter or the beginning of spring. However, while weigela typically drops its leaves in winter, it may not do so in warmer climates where temperatures don’t dip as low.
Do weigela have deep roots?
Yes, weigela plants do have deep roots. Generally, the roots of a weigela plant will grow anywhere from 1 – 3 feet (0.3 – 0.9 m) deep. This deep root system helps the weigela plants survive well in stressful environments, such as drought and heat stress.
It also helps them to spread out and increase in coverage area. Due to the strong root system, weigela plants are able to remain stable and secure in soils of differing texture. The lengthy roots also aid in nutrient uptake for better growth in a variety of conditions.
Does weigela grow fast?
Weigela is a fast-growing deciduous shrub, often reaching heights of 4 to 8 feet when mature. It blooms in the late spring or early summer and its flowers range in color from white to pink. Weigela grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and most of its growth takes place in the first few years after planting.
With proper maintenance, you can expect your Weigela to reach its mature height in 3 to 5 years. However, some varieties of Weigela may reach their mature height in as little as 2 years. Pruning of the older branches will help to promote the growth of new, healthy branches so that Weigela can reach its mature size more quickly.
How fast does weigela florida grow?
Weigela florida is a deciduous shrub that is typically slow to moderate in growth. It will typically reach a mature height of around 6-8 feet with a spread of 4-7 feet. The rate of growth will depend on the conditions of its environment, with optimum growing conditions yielding faster growth, and less than ideal conditions having a slower growth rate.
In ideal conditions, mature size can be achieved in 3-5 years. Weigela florida prefers moist, acidic soil in a sunny to partially shaded location. Fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer once a year in the early spring is recommended to help with healthy growth.
Pruning can also help to maintain shape and increase flowering.
Should you trim weigela bushes?
Yes, you should trim your weigela bushes. Pruning is important to keep the plant healthy and maintain its shape. It also promotes new growth and encourages more blooms. Pruning of weigela should be done in early spring before new growth begins, or in late summer right after blooming.
To prune, use sharp bypass pruners to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Remove no more than a third of the total branches each year. Cut back old stems to encourage the production of multiple stems from the base of the plant.
This will help create a fuller and more pleasing shape. Finally, cutting back spent flower clusters after blooming will also encourage further blooming. Doing this regularly will help keep your weigela looking its best!.