These Vibrant Weigelas Will Transform Your Garden Game!
Published: 16/04/2024 | Updated: 16/04/2024Members of the Caprifoliaceae family, weigelas are deciduous shrubs that are sometimes variegated and typically purple, crimson, or rosy pink flowers. Given that the weigela bush is related to the honeysuckle shrub, hummingbirds—flying pollinators that can contribute to the life of a garden—are often drawn to the tubular blooms of the plant. This makes weigela a favorite plant for both horticulturists and birdwatchers alike. And because weigela plants are harmless, you don't need to be concerned about your dogs consuming these fragrant shrubs by accident. The USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 are ideal for weigela plants.
When planting your weigela bush, keep the following points in mind to make sure your plant develops strong and healthily:
Hold off Till it Gets Colder
Planting the shrubbery in the summer is not a good idea unless you live in a very mild area, as the intense heat can cause the plant to die too soon. Rather, concentrate on visiting in the cooler months, such as spring and autumn, however, if you reside in a colder climate, you might also choose early summer or late spring.
Select a Sunny Area
Weigela plants are not suited for shady areas. Find a location in your garden that gets at least 6 hours a day of full sun for your plants. Afternoon, or morning shade on your garden will be fine for the weigela. As long as weigelas get a minimum of 6 hours of full sun during the day, they will grow lush and vibrant.
Opt for a Location with Adequate Drainage
Make sure to plant your weigela in a location with adequate drainage, so the plant does not sit in water logged soil. The objective is to place your plant so that it will receive the necessary amount of water without running the risk of developing root rot.
Ensure There is Space for the Plant to Grow
Weigela plants can grow up to 10 feet tall, depending on the breed, while their lowest height is merely 12 inches. However, a weigela bush can reach a maximum width of 12 feet and a minimum width of approximately 18 inches.
Carefully plant the weigela, handling the root ball with caution. When planting your weigela, handle the root ball with caution. You should dig a hole that is the same depth as the height of the root ball and five times wider than the root ball. Adding compost to your current soil is a smart option because it will help the plant thrive. Cover the plant with mulch, making sure the entire root ball is almost completely covered.
How to Maintain a Weigela Plant
Weigela care is relatively low-maintenance once your plant is well established. Just make sure to adapt your care to the changing of the seasons.
Early spring is the ideal time to start annual care, or late winter in regions with more sunshine. Verify if flower buds are beginning, but don't hold off until the blooms open. The problem is that your weigela shrub is producing new blooms by using the growth from the previous year. You risk doing more damage and missing out on the new blooms if you cut them down too much.
Regular Pruning is Advised
Using pruning shears, begin by cutting off any dead branches. You can start a more intensive pruning regimen once the leaves have grown and the flowers have started to blossom, making sure to carefully shape the plant to get the desired appearance. Ensure that you are not removing any newly sprung growth. Seek for and remove any dead branches that emerge from the main stem.
Water Often
For several months until the weigela bush becomes established, you must provide it with water daily. You should water the plant frequently if you reside in a hot, dry area. If not, the plant should still flourish and you won't need to water it further. Make sure the soil is moist regularly and water it if needed.
Be Generous with Fertilizer
Always add plant fertilizer made specifically for bushes and deciduous weigela shrubs in the spring or during your local growing season. To guarantee that your Weigela shrub is consistently well-fed and to promote the next rebloom, use a slow-release solution.
Flower Power: Weigela Varieties That Will Make Your Garden Pop!
Electric Love Weigela
Does your garden require some vigor or energy? With the Electric Love Weigela, you can add pouting dark variegated foliage and vibrant fresh color to your landscape without giving up valuable space! Throughout the summer, the Electric Love Weigela displays vigorous growth, showcasing its damaged bronzy-purple foliage lit up by brilliant red blossoms!
These scarlet, tube-shaped blooms are the makings of a hummingbird's paradise! As they consume nectar, you're bound to spot a few flying around! Throughout the day, you may also witness hummingbird moth visits, butterflies, and swarms of bees! Garden beds and borders of any size will be given a black-tie formality by the stark contrast between the dark foliage and tiny clusters of flowers!
At maturity, Electric Love only grows to be 1-2 feet tall and wide because of its natural petite size! Perfect plants for containers, together with formal landscape boundaries and edging. Enhance any yard with the same panache that a petite black dress and the ideal hue of red lipstick can give a woman's closet!
Maroon Swoon Weigela
Want color but lack the room for a big flowering shrub? For an abundance of jewel-toned blooms, try the wonderful reblooming Maroon Swoon Weigela. It will develop in a deliciously mounded shape and stay nice tight and compact.
The blossoms are amazing, an uncommon deep dark burgundy color! And these uncommon color blooms are abundant on this bush. When the first bloom opens, you'll notice the deep crimson color right away. It adds a stylish element to your scenery.
Prepare to witness a swarm of hummingbirds and butterflies visiting this plant! You will love those red, bell-shaped blossoms just as much as they do! Later spring and later summer into autumn are when the bloom is at its heaviest. You can always locate flowers to cut for your interior bouquets, so don't worry.
Summer's rich, green leaves are a fantastic compliment to the vibrant, chartreuse spring growth. Remember to remove part of the lightly serrated foliage to balance the blooms in cut flower arrangements, much like you would with roses.
Pink Poppet Weigela
The tiny, compact, rounded, deciduous Weigela (Weigela florida 'Pink Poppet') shrub bears delicate pink blooms, a funnel-shaped flower that blooms profusely in June and again in late summer! Beautiful blossoms that draw hummingbirds are a pollinator's dream come true!
The first of a planned series of Weigelas with a low-growing groundcover habit is the Pink Poppet. All season long, Pink Poppet's emerald green foliage creates a lovely contrast with the flowers! At a height of only 1-2 feet and a width of 2-3 feet, these vibrant tiny accent pieces complement any setting!
Pink Poppet Weigela is more resilient than some other compact varieties and has a thick, spherical shape. Pink Poppet is a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant with enhanced resistance to cold in USDA planting zones 4–8.
Red Prince Weigela
Choose Red Prince Weigela (Weigela Florida 'Red Prince') if you want your landscape to stand out. This shrub is deciduous and has recurring flowers. This shrub is ideal if there's a location in your yard where a strong statement is needed. Weigelas's game was altered by this variation. An incredible discovery, this plant bears an incredible quantity of scarlet blossoms in late spring.
Your yard will look amazing twice a year thanks to the Red Prince Weigela shrub! Radiant crimson 1.5-inch trumpet-shaped blossoms will cover your crimson Prince in splendor come late April.
The red flowers are tubular and are a great method to draw butterflies to your yard. When they bloom, hummingbirds have their peak, displaying vivid colors and mouthwatering nectar.
Your Red Prince Weigela will reappear in the autumn, bringing with it an even more striking display of red intensity. Then, as the season progresses and the plant produces new growth, you will witness yet another abundant set of blossoms that will carry the plant into autumn. When it comes to creating flowers, this Weigela is an absolute champion.
Wine and Roses Weigela
There are two bloom seasons for this Wine and Roses Weigela! The first bright pink flowers come in late spring. Summertime brings a second appearance of weigela blooms No matter where you choose to plant it, the rich wine-colored foliage contrasts beautifully with these blossoms to create a striking focal point. This Weigela deters deer yet attracts hummingbirds anyway, they also make fantastic container plants as well as being an ideal option for foundation planting.
Throughout the summer, the foliage color maintains a rich wine-colored purple hue. Rose pink flowers appear in both spring and summer. The deciduous shrub measures 48 to 60 inches in height and 40 to 60 inches in spread when grown in a garden.
Use the cut blooms from this Weigela to create colorful bouquets or use it to bring color to your landscape. Both border and bulk planting works well with it. Because of its erect habit, the Wine and Roses Weigela is an excellent choice for container gardening as a thriller plant.
Maintaining a Wine and Roses Weigela is easy. Since this plant loves the sun, it should be planted in full sun and receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. This shrub demands moderate amounts of water and prefers well-drained soil that is medium-moist. Any soil with a different pH level can benefit from the Wine and Roses Weigela's adaptability. Applying slow-release fertilizer in the early spring is recommended. Early or late spring is also the best time to prune.
Transform Your Yard with Weigelas: A Garden Game-Changer
Weigelas are not just stunning additions to any garden; they're also magnets for hummingbirds, easy to care for, and adaptable to various climates. With their vibrant blooms and colorful foliage, they bring life and beauty to outdoor spaces. Ready to transform your backyard into a haven of natural splendor? Let ShrubHub's expert designers turn your dream garden into reality or explore our range of Weigela varieties and other landscaping options on ShrubHub's Marketplace, where inspiration meets execution.