Weigela

Class

Dicotyledonae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Order

Dipsacales

Genus

Weigela

Species

Florida

Description

An elegant and striking shrub that flowers profusely in spring and, depending on the variety, sometimes in summer.

It is a very hardy shrub that thrives in various types of soil and is easy to grow.

It has dark green deciduous leaves, though there are also white-and-green variegated varieties. With a spreading, fan-shaped habit, it can reach over 2 metres in height.
Moderate watering and balanced seasonal NPK fertilisation are required to promote flowering and vegetative growth. This shrub can be used both in the ground in gardens, parks, borders and hedges, as well as in pots for planters and to decorate terraces or roof gardens.

Curiosities and special features

The botanical genus Weigela was named in honour of the German botanist C. Ehrenfried von Weigel, whilst the specific epithet is derived from ‘floris’ – meaning ‘flourishing’ – in reference to its abundant flowering.

Origin and distribution

A botanical species native to the temperate biome of the region comprising the southern Russian Far East, northern and eastern China, Korea and Japan.

Leaf

The leaves have elliptical, lanceolate lamina.

Leaf colour

Solid dark green, but there are also white-and-green variegated varieties.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 1 to 1.99 m.

Lifespan

A deciduous perennial shrub.

Where to plant

Versatile in its uses, it is suitable as a shrub for flowerbeds, central reservation flowerbeds, pots, planters, open ground, hedges, terraces and outdoor planters, and in flowerbeds in temperate zones, subject to the temperatures described in the relevant section.

Stem

The stem is semi-woody and thornless.

Flower

The flower is simple in shape, medium-sized, with a bell-shaped corolla. The petals are bicoloured or solid-coloured, single-coloured and variegated. It flowers from mid-spring to early summer, with a flowering period of between 20 and 40 days. It has sweet notes and is slightly fragrant, with a delicate aroma. It attracts bees and bumblebees.

Growth

It is characterised by medium-to-vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The developed vegetative habitus is bushy.

Branching

Itsprofuse branching results in a dense canopy dotted with numerous flowers, creating a highly ornamental display.

PH

It requires a substrate or soil pH of between 6.5 and 7.5.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

This plant is frost-hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as -10/-15°C, and can thrive in mountainous, urban and Mediterranean areas.

The ideal temperature ranges from 0.0 to 30 °C.

Use

The elegance of its blooms makes it a widely appreciated shrub in:
Ornamental use Outdoor ornamental use Outdoor landscape design Landscaping

Hardiness

Itshigh hardiness makes it even more useful; it tolerates different soil types and can withstand temporary drought.

Soil

It adapts to different soil types; however, for optimal growth, the soil should ideally be of medium texture, well-drained and rich in organic matter.

For growing in pots, choose a high-quality, specialised potting mix made from peat, perlite and compost.

Difficulty

Easy to grow, it requires a moderate level of care.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation guidelines for better vegetative growth and full flowering:
Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering It can be planted in sunny or semi-shaded beds. Requires little but regular fertiliser Proper pruning

Combinations with other plants

We recommend choosing different varieties for planters on the terrace or for collections in the garden.

For use as hedges and borders, choose a single variety or a limited number of varieties to achieve a uniform colour effect.
The varieties offer different colours in both the flowers and the leaves; variegated foliage gives the plants a bushier, lighter and more elegant appearance.

Planting

Transplant in early spring or late autumn.

During the initial stage of growing in the garden, provide loose, well-drained soil rich in mineral fertiliser with a high nitrogen and potassium content.

Pruning

During the growth phase, the plant should never be pruned; allow the shrub to grow freely and spread out. Avoid pruning young plants and ensure that they are planted at sufficiently wide intervals to encourage the plant to spread out and develop side shoots.

Prune only when necessary, after flowering, to control the size of the shrub should it encroach on space occupied by other features in the garden or on the terrace.

Propagation

Propagation can be carried out from seed or from cuttings.

Watering

It tolerates drought, but to ensure the plant develops properly and to promote more abundant flowering, it is best to water it during prolonged periods without rain.

Particularly during the early stages of growth or after planting, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

When cultivating the mature plant, maintain a regular watering regime to ensure the soil around the roots remains loose and well-structured.

Soil cultivation, such as aeration and scarification, aids root development and strengthens the plant’s resistance to summer drought.

Watering at the base and ensuring the correct planting density with well-spaced plants prevent the onset of mould and leaf desiccation.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, apply a base dressing by spreading a balanced granular fertiliser, specifically designed for ornamental plants, evenly throughout the soil.

Subsequently, whilst the plant is growing, apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to the soil surface during the spring.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Tip

Weigela is an easy plant to grow and produces excellent results with little effort. It is advisable to choose different varieties when creating window boxes on a terrace or for garden collections. When using them as hedges or borders, choose a single variety or a limited number of varieties to create a uniform colour effect. The varieties offer plants with different colours in both their flowers and leaves. Variegated varieties result in bushy plants with a lighter, more elegant appearance.