Shrub
Weigela
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in May | Flowers in June | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in February | Plant in March | Plant in October | Plant in November | ||||||||
| Prune | Prune in June | Prune in July | ||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in May | Looks good in June | Looks good in July | Looks good in August |
Overview
Weigela is a tough, undemanding deciduous shrub that fills late May and June with arching sprays of trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red or white. Modern varieties add coloured foliage that keeps the plant interesting after the blooms are over. 'Florida Variegata' has cream-edged leaves and soft pink flowers, 'Bristol Ruby' is a vigorous red, and dark-leaved forms such as 'Foliis Purpureis' and Wine and Roses pair purple foliage with rosy pink. Some plants throw out a smaller second flush later in summer.
Where to grow weigela
It grows in nearly any reasonable garden soil, from clay to chalk, and is hardy across the UK and Ireland. Full sun gives the most flowers and the best leaf colour on purple and gold kinds, though light shade is fine. Use it at the back of a mixed border or as a loose informal hedge.
Planting
Plant bare-root shrubs in late autumn or late winter and container plants any time the ground is workable. Improve poor soil with compost, plant at the original depth and water in well.
Care through the year
Spring
Mulch around the base with compost and give a handful of general fertiliser.
Summer
Prune after flowering and water new plants in dry spells.
Autumn
A good time to move a badly placed young plant or plant new ones.
Winter
Little to do; check that supports and labels have survived winter winds.
Pruning
As soon as flowering ends, cut flowered stems back to strong, unflowered shoots lower down. On established plants, also remove about one stem in five at ground level, choosing the oldest and thickest, to keep the shrub young and productive. Overgrown plants can be renovated hard over two or three years.
Propagation
Softwood cuttings taken in early summer root quickly in a covered pot. Hardwood cuttings in winter also work, and low branches can be layered.
Common problems
Weigela is largely trouble-free. Aphids may gather on new shoots in spring; squash them or let ladybirds deal with them. Late frosts can scorch young leaves on plants in exposed spots, and they soon recover.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in February, March, June, July, October and November. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.