Weigela Red Flowers from Cardinal Shrub
Special Features of Colorful Bushes in the Garden
Jun 30, 2009
Weigela florida’s common name, Weigela, is often misspelled as Wegeila or Wegelia.
Red Flowers and Plant Dependability
The species with red flowers was discovered in Asia and taken to Europe by Scottish botanist Robert Fortune in 1845. The genus Weigela florida of the Caprifoliaceae family (related to Honeysuckle) was named to honor botanist C. E. von Weigal. The word florida refers to the color of the flowers.
The genus contains ten species. Because of their flowers and dependability, the large shrubs with long, arching stems were widely cultivated in the mid-nineteenth century. Starting in 1867, hybridizers worked to develop new cultivars. There are now about 200 cultivars of Weigela florida, but not all are currently grown.
Trumpet-Shaped Flowers and Colorful Foliage
Weigela flowers that cover the branches are trumpet-shaped and about one inch in length. Many cultivars now include blossoms of peach and lavender as well as several other shades and hues. The flowers that appear during early summer attract butterflies and hummingbirds, especially those that are red or deep pink. Some plants will produce more flowers later in the season
Attractive, colorful foliage is displayed on many of the new cultivars. Some selections were developed with foliage that is yellow, copper, burgundy, and variegated. These provide full-season interest.
The old-fashioned Weigela florida grows to a height of about eight feet with similar spread. Its widely-arching branches produce red, white, or pink flowers in late spring or early summer. One of the most common is Weigela florida 'Variegata'.
In contrast, an example of cultivar development is the one known as Midnight Wine. It grows to ten inches in height, and about the same in width.
Growing Conditions, Propagation, and Care of Weigela
Weigela grows best in average garden soil supplemented with compost. At its best when not allowed to completely dry out, it needs to have good drainage conditions. Flower production is profuse when the shrub is planted in full sun. It is very effective in a shrub border or grouping, or a background for smaller plants. Weigela has no serious disease or pest problems and is pollution tolerant.
Propagation can be accomplished fairly easily:
- Take cuttings
- Dip them in water
- Dip them in powdered rooting hormone
- Put them upright in pre-moistened soil-less potting mixture
- Place container in large plastic bag
- Add water to the bottom of the bag
- Seal the bag and wait about six weeks, then plant the rooted stems
If the shrub becomes straggly, prune it back soon after the flowers fade. Early pruning will let it produce next year’s flowering shoots. It is best to cut about one-third of the older stems back to the main trunk to allow new growth. It is not necessary to prune remaining branches. The trouble-free, easy-to-grow Weigela florida is hardy in zones four to eight.
The old-fashioned Weigela grown by ancestors is spectacular while blooming, but seen by modern gardeners as a one-season plant. The great variety of cultivars allows today’s gardeners to create very special multi-faceted shrubbery plantings.
Photographs attached to this article are of Weigela florida ‘Bristol Ruby’ which grows to about six feet in height, and Weigela florida ‘Variegata Nana’ which grows to three feet in height.
More photographs of Weigela are shown here.
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