Weigela.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

150 to 300 cm

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant in a spot with well draining soil and plenty of sun to encourage the best blooms. Prune immediately after the spring flowering period to maintain shape and encourage new growth for next year. Watch for wilting or yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or extreme heat stress.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune back flowered stems by one third immediately after the spring bloom finishes.

Repotting

If kept in a container, move to a slightly larger pot every few years to refresh the soil.

Soil

Loamy, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-28 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Pets

Weigela is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The woody stems and small seed capsules pose no specific danger to children.

Contact allergens

No specific skin irritation is associated with this plant.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not considered a significant allergen.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Trumpet shaped pink or red flowers
• Opposite, serrated, oval shaped leaves
• Arching, woody stems
• Peeling bark on mature branches

Height

1.2 to 3m

Spread

1.2 to 3m

Leaves

green, bronze, variegated, deciduous

Flowers

pink, red, white, 2 to 4cm

Fruit

brown, late summer

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Leaf SpotCommon
• Powdery MildewUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. No special winter protection is needed for established plants.

In containers

It grows well in large pots of at least 40 liters, provided they have excellent drainage.

Plant in groups of three to create a dense, flowering hedge that suppresses weeds.

Grows well with

• Spirea — They share similar light and moisture requirements.
• Daylily — These provide a nice contrast in texture and bloom time.
• Peony — They bloom around the same time and look lovely together.

Similar species

• Korean Weigela — A smaller, more compact relative.
• Old Fashioned Weigela — Often confused with florida but has slightly different flower characteristics.

Science

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Genus

Weigela

Order

Dipsacales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Northern China, Korea, and Japan.

Conservation

This species is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in forest edges and thickets where it can access moderate light and moisture.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental shrub, hedging, pollinator garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I prune my Weigela?

Prune immediately after the spring flowering period to encourage new growth for next year.

Does it need full sun?

It blooms best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel, while the specific epithet florida refers to its abundant flowering habit.

Good to know

• The genus was named after the German scientist Christian Ehrenfried Weigel.
• It is a member of the honeysuckle family.
• The flowers are shaped like tiny trumpets.
• It is very easy to propagate from softwood cuttings in summer.